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| Vice Chief of theAustralian Defence Force | |
|---|---|
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 | |
| Style | Vice Admiral Lieutenant General Air Marshal |
| Member of | Australian Defence Force |
| Reports to | Chief of the Defence Force |
| Term length | Four years (renewable) |
| Formation | 6 June 1986 (1986-06-06) |
| First holder | Air MarshalRay Funnell |
TheVice Chief of the Defence Force (VCDF) is the military deputy to theChief of the Defence Force (CDF) of Australia, and acts as the CDF in his absence under standing acting arrangements. Air MarshalRobert Chipman, the incumbent VCDF, has held the position since 9 July 2024.
Created in 1986, the VCDF is athree-star officer in theAustralian Defence Force (lieutenant general,vice admiral, orair marshal). 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 (NSCC) and Secretary’s Committee on National Security (SCNS).[1]
Until September 2007, the VCDF was "double hatted" as the Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS). In this role he commanded Australian Defence Force operations on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Force. In September 2007, theMinister of Defence,Brendan Nelson announced the formation of a separatethree-star CJOPS position based at the Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) facility atBungendore, New South Wales.[2][3]
The appointment is made by theGovernor General on the advice of his/her ministers under Section 9AA of theDefence Act (1903) and is for a fixed term of four years, nominally rotated between the three services,Navy,Army andAir 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.
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.[4][5]
TheMilitary Strategic Commitments Division (MSCD) provides and coordinates ADF tri-service and joint strategic advice across the Australian Government (including theHeadquarters Joint Operations Command and theDefence Strategic Policy and Intelligence Group) andsituational awareness for current and potential ADF commitments. The Head Military Strategic Commitments is also responsible for theAustralian Defence Force Investigative Service, strategic communications, strategic crisis response, the Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program, and engagement with theUnited Nations and other coalition partners.[4][5][6]
TheMilitary Strategic Plans Division (MSPD) provides strategic planning linking policy and operational arrangements.
TheForce Integration Division (FID) is responsible for the design, development, integration and coordination of ADFjoint warfare capabilities, includinginformation systems,effects-based operations, andcounter-IED efforts.[4][5][7]
TheForce Design Division is responsible for the provision of guidance and planning for future joint force design, requirements, and capabilities of the ADF.[4][5]
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.
| No. | Picture | Vice Chief of the Defence Force | Took office | Left office | Defence branch | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Funnell, RayAir Marshal Ray FunnellAO (born 1935) | 6 June 1986 | July 1987 | RAAF | [2][8] |
| 2 | .jpg) | Knox, IanVice Admiral Ian KnoxAC (1933–2024) | July 1987 | 16 September 1989 | RAN | [9] |
| 3 | | Beaumont, AlanVice Admiral Alan BeaumontAC (1934–2004) | 16 September 1989 | October 1992 | RAN | [9] |
| 4 | | Baker, JohnLieutenant General John BakerAC (1936–2007) | October 1992 | April 1995 | Army | [10] |
| 5 | | Walls, RobertVice Admiral Robert WallsAO (born 1941) | April 1995 | March 1997 | RAN | [10] |
| 6 | _(cropped2).jpg) | Barrie, ChrisVice Admiral Chris BarrieAC (born 1945) | March 1997 | 3 July 1998 | RAN | [10] |
| 7 | | Riding, DouglasAir Marshal Douglas RidingAO, DFC (born 1943) | 3 July 1998 | 5 June 2000 | RAAF | [10] |
| 8 | | Mueller, DesmondLieutenant General Desmond MuellerAO (born 1943) | 5 June 2000 | 15 July 2002 | Army | |
| 9 | .jpg) | Shalders, RussVice Admiral Russ ShaldersAO, CSC (born 1951) | 15 July 2002 | 4 July 2005 | RAN | |
| 10 | .jpg) | Gillespie, KenLieutenant General Ken GillespieAO, DSC, CSM (born 1952) | 4 July 2005 | 3 July 2008 | Army | |
| 11 | .jpg) | Hurley, DavidLieutenant General David HurleyAC, DSC (born 1953) | 3 July 2008 | 3 July 2011 | Army | |
| 12 | .jpg) | Binskin, MarkAir Marshal Mark BinskinAC (born 1960) | 3 July 2011 | 30 June 2014 | RAAF | |
| 13 |  | Griggs, RayVice Admiral Ray GriggsAO, CSC (born 1961) | 30 June 2014 | 5 July 2018 | RAN | |
| 14 | .jpg) | Johnston, DavidVice Admiral David JohnstonAC (born 1962) | 5 July 2018 | 9 July 2024 | RAN | |
| 15 | | Chipman, RobertAir Marshal Robert ChipmanAO, CSC (born 1971) | 9 July 2024 | Incumbent | RAAF |
Australian Defence Organisation (Headquarters:Russell Offices) Minister for Defence Senator the Hon.Linda Reynolds,Secretary of DefenceGreg Moriarty | |
| Leadership | |
| Structure |
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