Vice Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)

Created in 1986, the VCDF is a three-star officer in the Australian Defence Force (lieutenant general, vice admiral, or air 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, the Minister of Defence, Brendan Nelson announced the formation of a separate three-star CJOPS position based at the Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) facility at Bungendore, New South Wales.[2][3]

The appointment is made by the Governor General on the advice of his/her ministers under Section 9AA of the Defence Act (1903) 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.

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]

The Military Strategic Commitments Division (MSCD) provides and coordinates ADF tri-service and joint strategic advice across the Australian Government (including the Headquarters Joint Operations Command and the Defence Strategic Policy and Intelligence Group) 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.[4][5][6]

The Military Strategic Plans Division (MSPD) provides strategic planning linking policy and operational arrangements.

The Force Integration Division (FID) is responsible for the design, development, integration and coordination of ADF joint warfare capabilities, including information systems, effects-based operations, and counter-IED efforts.[4][5][7]

The Force 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.

Image	Rank	Name	Postnominals	Service	Term began	Term ended	Time in appointment
	Air Marshal	Ray Funnell	AO	RAAF	6 June 1986[2][8]	January 1987	209 days
	Vice Admiral	Ian Knox	AC, RAN	RAN	January 1987	16 September 1989 [9]	2 years, 258 days
	Vice Admiral	Alan Beaumont	AC, RAN	RAN	16 September 1989[9]	October 1992	3 years, 15 days
	Lieutenant General	John Baker	AC	Army	October 1992	April 1995[10]	2 years, 182 days
	Vice Admiral	Robert Walls	AO, RAN	RAN	April 1995[10]	March 1997	1 year, 334 days
	Vice Admiral	Chris Barrie	AC, RAN	RAN	March 1997	3 July 1998[10]	1 year, 122 days
	Air Marshal	Douglas Riding	AO, DFC	RAAF	3 July 1998 [10]	5 June 2000	1 year, 340 days
	Lieutenant General	Desmond Mueller	AO	Army	5 June 2000	15 July 2002	2 years, 40 days
	Vice Admiral	Russ Shalders	AO, CSC, RAN	RAN	15 July 2002	4 July 2005	2 years, 351 days
	Lieutenant General	Ken Gillespie	AO, DSC, CSM	Army	4 July 2005	3 July 2008	2 years, 365 days
	Lieutenant General	David Hurley	AC, DSC	Army	4 July 2008	3 July 2011	2 years, 364 days
	Air Marshal	Mark Binskin	AC	RAAF	4 July 2011	30 June 2014	2 years, 361 days
	Vice Admiral	Ray Griggs	AO, CSC, RAN	RAN	30 June 2014	5 July 2018	4 years, 5 days
	Vice Admiral	David Johnston	AO, RAN	RAN	5 July 2018	Incumbent	2 years, 205 days

Timeline