Chief of the Defence Staff

[james k]

I've met Gen Peach and thought he was a bit of a prick. That was of course my own opinion but over the last few weeks I've discussed him with other people who know him or his work and they disagree. They all seem to say he's a complete prick and a total yes man.

They could had a decent soldier with real experience of tri service operations but they selected a nodding donkey instead

[SKB]

[Caribbean]

Carleton-Smith was educated at Eton College[1] and commissioned into the Irish Guards in 1982.[2] He then studied for a sponsored degree in Politics and Modern History at Durham University, joining Hatfield College, and graduating in 1985.[3] After recommencing military service he was as a Brigade Chief-of-Staff during the Kosovo War, and became Commanding Officer of 22 Special Air Service Regiment in 2002 and saw service in that role in Iraq and Afghanistan.[4] He became Commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade in 2007 and was deployed to Afghanistan as Commander of Task Force Helmand and Commander of British Forces there in April 2008.[5] In August 2008 he led Operation Eagle's Summit which involved a daring foray into Taliban territory.[6]

He became Director of Army Plans and Resources at the Ministry of Defence in January 2009, Director Special Forces in February 2012[7] and Director of Strategy at the Ministry of Defence in March 2015.[8] He became Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Military Strategy and Operations) with effect from 18 April 2016[9] and was promoted to lieutenant-general that same date. On the 9 May 2018 he was promoted to General, and it was announced that he would be succeeding General Sir Nick Carter to the position of Chief of the General Staff[10]

[ArmChairCivvy]

Unusual to have a Chief and Vice-Chief from the same service so the next one will stay non Army. Be an interesting relationship since the Vice-Chief does a lot of the capability work and the Chief operates more at the strategic level.

The above sets the scene

became Director of Army Plans and Resources at the Ministry of Defence in January 2009, Director Special Forces in February 2012[7] and Director of Strategy at the Ministry of Defence in March 2015.

and the choice of Deputy likely sets the scene for the next round of appointments.

What do folks here think: is the rotation too fast, for capabilities to be able to catch up "with strategy"?
- or is it good to have a fairly quick rotation so as to promote finding consensus - in the spirit of jointness - between the services?

[SKB]

[abc123]

So, we can expect that the harshest cuts will be in BA?

Also, am I the only one to notice similarity in looks?

https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.g4tS ... =300&h=300