Vice Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)


The Vice Chief of the Defence Force is the military deputy to the Chief of the Defence Force of Australia, and acts as the CDF in his absence under standing acting arrangements. Vice Admiral David Johnston, the incumbent VCDF, has held the position since 5 July 2018.

Responsibilities

Created in 1986, the VCDF is a three-star officer in the Australian Defence Force. The position's standing responsibilities include: Joint Doctrine, Education, Training and Evaluation; Joint Logistics; Reserve Policy; and Joint Capabilities, Commitments and Concepts. When acting as Chief of the Defence Force, the VCDF attends the National Security Committee of Cabinet and Secretary’s Committee on National Security.
Until September 2007, the VCDF was "double hatted" as the Chief of Joint Operations. In this role he commanded Australian Defence Force operations on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Force. In September 2007, the Minister of Defence, Brendan Nelson announced the formation of a separate three-star CJOPS position based at the Headquarters Joint Operations Command facility at Bungendore, New South Wales.

Appointment

The appointment is made by the Governor General on the advice of his/her ministers under Section 9AA of the Defence Act and is for a fixed term of four years, nominally rotated between the three services, Navy, Army and Air Force; however in practice this has not been the case and the appointment has been held for longer or shorter periods of time. The role is politically neutral, as are all military positions, and is not affected by a change of government.

VCDF Group

The Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group is responsible for the provision of military strategic effects and commitments advice and planning, joint military professional education and training, logistics support, health support, ADF cadet and reserve policy, joint capability coordination, preparedness management, and joint and combined ADF doctrine.
The Military Strategic Commitments Division provides and coordinates ADF tri-service and joint strategic advice across the Australian Government and situational awareness for current and potential ADF commitments. The Head Military Strategic Commitments is also responsible for the Australian Defence Force Investigative Service, strategic communications, strategic crisis response, the Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program, and engagement with the United Nations and other coalition partners.
The Military Strategic Plans Division provides strategic planning linking policy and operational arrangements.
The Force Integration Division is responsible for the design, development, integration and coordination of ADF joint warfare capabilities, including information systems, effects-based operations, and counter-IED efforts.
The Force Design Division is responsible for the provision of guidance and planning for future joint force design, requirements, and capabilities of the ADF.

Appointees

The following list chronologically records those who have held the post of Vice Chief of the Defence Force. Rank and honours are as at the completion of the individual's term.
ImageRankNamePostnominalsServiceTerm beganTerm endedTime in appointment
Air MarshalRAAF
Vice AdmiralRAN
Vice AdmiralRAN
Lieutenant GeneralArmy
Vice AdmiralRAN
Vice AdmiralRAN
Air MarshalRAAF
Lieutenant GeneralArmy
Vice AdmiralRAN
Lieutenant GeneralArmy
Lieutenant GeneralArmy
Air MarshalRAAF
Vice AdmiralRAN
Vice AdmiralRANIncumbent

Timeline


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bar:Funnell from: 1986 till: 1987 color:vcdf text:Ray Funnell
bar:Knox from: 1987 till: 1989 color:vcdf text:Ian Knox
bar:Beaumont from: 1989 till: 1992 color:vcdf text:Alan Beaumont
bar:Baker from: 1992 till: 1995 color:vcdf text:John Baker
bar:Walls from: 1995 till: 1997 color:vcdf text:Robert Walls
bar:Barrie from: 1997 till: 1998 color:vcdf text:Chris Barrie
bar:Riding from: 1998 till: 2000 color:vcdf text:Douglas Riding
bar:Mueller from: 2000 till: 2002 color:vcdf text:Desmond Mueller
bar:Shalders from: 2002 till: 2005 color:vcdf text:Russ Shalders
bar:Gillespie from: 2005 till: 2008 color:vcdf text:Ken Gillespie
bar:Hurley from: 2008 till: 2011 color:vcdf text:David Hurley
bar:Biskin from: 2011 till: 2014 color:vcdf text:Mark Binskin
bar:Griggs from: 2014 till: 2018 color:vcdf text:Ray Griggs
bar:Johnston from: 2018 till: $now color:vcdf text:David Johnston