pr00ne, inasmuchas the CDS cannot overturn Buff's decisions - and probably not change his mind either - you're right. The CDS has to accept that if the Government decides to do something to the exclusion of all arguments to the contrary, it's going to happen. Adm Boyce was characterised by speaking his mind where required - "if we try to do anything more before 2006, we risk putting ourselves through a lot of pain", etc. It's the CDS's job to represent the views of the Armed Forces, no matter how disagreeable those views may be to whoever sits in the bog office at the Ministry. From what I understand, Guthrie never did so, wishing instead to serve out his final tour quietly and without incident in order to safeguard his payoff and pension. He was certainly a fairly political CDS.
Now we have a defence secretary who, it is openly acknowledged by people in MOD, told the service chiefs when he was appointed that if they stepped out of line he would fire them. Yet Adm Boyce still spoke his mind, to the point of savaging Hoon at a press conference. We need more of his calibre, and I do think Sir Jock might have the balls to do the same. Only time will tell!