Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff


The Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff is a senior British military officer. There are a number of ACDS appointments and they are held by officers of two-star rank. They work in the Ministry of [Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence].

Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Health)

The ACDS reports to the Surgeon General.

Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Capability & Force Design)

Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Military Strategy) later, Defence Engagement

Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Intelligence Capability)

The ACDS reports to the Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Intelligence Collection)

  • Major General Michael Laurie CBE

Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Commitments)/(Operations, now Operations & Commitments)

Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Personnel Capability)

Since 1992, the Defence Services Secretary has usually holds the appointment of ACDS as a secondary role.

Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Policy)

Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Reserves and Cadets)

The ACDS is the senior reservist of the British Armed Forces. They are responsible for tri-service policy relating to the reserves and cadet forces. The appointment was created in 2004.

Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Nuclear, Chemical, Biological)