Where will the next Chief come from?
So, CDS will stay in post until 2011, effectively barring all of the current single Service Chiefs from the post, by default also barring the only other RAF 4*. To my knowledge there has never been a CDS that has not formerly been 1SL/CGS/CAS so it is feasible that the next CAS could also become the next CDS.
The more immediate question for the RAF is where will the next CAS and CinC come from? We only have 6 x 3*, of those only 4 are pilots (which I would suggest will remain the Branch of choice for the foreseeable) and of those 4 only 1 has more than 12 months seniority. Can we expect both CAS and the CinC to be extended to allow someone to "grow" into the role? Who of the current crop of 3* would best represent the needs and aspirations of the RAF and it's people?