New CDS "leaked".
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New CDS "leaked".
Looks like the army have bagged the top job again:
General Sir Nick Houghton to be new chief of defence staff | UK news | The Guardian
General Sir Nick Houghton to be new chief of defence staff | UK news | The Guardian
His successor as Vice Chief has been named as Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, a former fighter pilot and experienced operational commander
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While it would have been great to see Stu Peach as CDS I think elevating the first Comd JFC to the top job might have been interpreted as a rather strong signal about JFC's place in the pecking order vis a vis the three Services, which makes some of the VSOs nervous. However, we have done well to get VCDS, which is a more influential job than any of the Service Chiefs' (plus Stu Peach doesn't get the massive pension tax hit that goes with the whacking pay rise to CDS so he has a consolation prize!).
From what I have seen of Gen Houghton he will make a good CDS, probably better than the current 1SL/CGS/CAS, so this looks to be good news all round.
From what I have seen of Gen Houghton he will make a good CDS, probably better than the current 1SL/CGS/CAS, so this looks to be good news all round.
Last edited by Jacks Down; 19th Mar 2013 at 13:50.
No belt either. Or is that another little known 4* only dress reg? 
Guess he would normally be wearing a sword belt and the photog has just cropped the head and shoulders shot badly!!
Reminds me of trips down to the photo section for your "Photo In No 1's For Innsworth" mug shot.....sat with flying suit around your ankles with your No 1 jacket, blue shirt and tie on hoping that the instruction really was for a 'head and shoulders' shot only. Might explain why I didn't trouble the promotion boards too much!!!
Guess he would normally be wearing a sword belt and the photog has just cropped the head and shoulders shot badly!!
Reminds me of trips down to the photo section for your "Photo In No 1's For Innsworth" mug shot.....sat with flying suit around your ankles with your No 1 jacket, blue shirt and tie on hoping that the instruction really was for a 'head and shoulders' shot only. Might explain why I didn't trouble the promotion boards too much!!!
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Question re the uniform worn by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach
in particular the medals.
Every time that photo is posted I notice the threads / stiching above
the top row of medals that looks like someone has stitched
them on in a not so neat way.
Is that done for a reason or is it just bad mounting ?
in particular the medals.
Every time that photo is posted I notice the threads / stiching above
the top row of medals that looks like someone has stitched
them on in a not so neat way.
Is that done for a reason or is it just bad mounting ?
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They are loops of thread (with a special name that I cannot remember) which are added so that medals can be pinned through them and hung rather than piercing the material.
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stiching above the top row of medals that looks like someone has
stitched them on in a not so neat way.
I have been tempted to get a set of loops for my DJ when the dress is black tie with medals - however I have made do with the cheaper option of a few safety pins mounted upside down with the small rings holding the medal bar.
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Thanks, I had a feeling that might be what they are for.
He would wear full medals more than most !
He would wear full medals more than most !
Last edited by 500N; 19th Mar 2013 at 16:58.
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Now where is that thread where we discussed the next CDS and some RN chaps seemed convinced the outgoing 1SL would get it despite pretty much everyone else sure it would be Houghton?
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sat with flying suit around your ankles with your No 1 jacket, blue shirt and tie on hoping that the instruction really was for a 'head and shoulders' shot only. Might explain why I didn't trouble the promotion boards too much!!!
My curiosity has been aroused here, the custom has been to assign one of the three outgoing Service Chiefs to the supreme Defence appointment?
This is the second time a hitherto VCDS has been appointed to succeed his immediate Line Manager?
The last time was when Field Marshal Sir Richard Vincent succeeded M.R.A.F. Sir David Craig in 1991. It was brought to my attention some time later that the reason was due to clashing personalities between the Military Chiefs and the Parliamentarians of the day. A similar and more clearly reported rift was reported in July 2008, that time Gordon Brown wasn't keen on any of the three service chiefs succeeding Sir Jock Stirrup? It would seem they weren't keen on the then VCDS either as Sir Jock was asked to, and accepted, a double shift.
Sir Jock was eventually moved out before the end of his double tour by Cameron because the new PM had been led to believe that the Army, being most heavily deployed on operations, are best at overseeing all military matters and fighting everyone's corner equally and sensibly.
Sir Max Hastings once said that the CDS should always be a Soldier, well looking back to 1994, ever since the resignation of Sir Peter Harding, it has been the case for the most part.
FB
This is the second time a hitherto VCDS has been appointed to succeed his immediate Line Manager?
The last time was when Field Marshal Sir Richard Vincent succeeded M.R.A.F. Sir David Craig in 1991. It was brought to my attention some time later that the reason was due to clashing personalities between the Military Chiefs and the Parliamentarians of the day. A similar and more clearly reported rift was reported in July 2008, that time Gordon Brown wasn't keen on any of the three service chiefs succeeding Sir Jock Stirrup? It would seem they weren't keen on the then VCDS either as Sir Jock was asked to, and accepted, a double shift.
Sir Jock was eventually moved out before the end of his double tour by Cameron because the new PM had been led to believe that the Army, being most heavily deployed on operations, are best at overseeing all military matters and fighting everyone's corner equally and sensibly.
Sir Max Hastings once said that the CDS should always be a Soldier, well looking back to 1994, ever since the resignation of Sir Peter Harding, it has been the case for the most part.
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And every time this appointment comes up for discussion in The Times, Torygraph, and elsewhere, Mr Pete Harding probably wonders, ''Now, if only I had not been such a stupid boy!''
Last edited by Secret1; 19th Mar 2013 at 23:09.
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Incubus
'They are loops of thread (with a special name that I cannot remember) which are added so that medals can be pinned through them and hung rather than piercing the material.'
They're called 'beckets'.
I hope your lives are as enhanced by this piece of knowledge as mine has been
They're called 'beckets'.
I hope your lives are as enhanced by this piece of knowledge as mine has been
Today's Torygraph, in confirming the CDS appointment, suggests that the new man is not popular with everybody in his own service, being described as a 'politician in uniform'. Some may recall Sir Michael Carver, who was thought to be overly 'socialist' in his leanings.
I don't know how Sir David Richards' term of office will be remembered but prior to his appointment, he was trailled as 'the great white hope' (no offence intended) but whether that was just a load of guff or whether the circumstances prevented him from doing all that was expected/hoped of him remains to be seen.
Old Duffer
I don't know how Sir David Richards' term of office will be remembered but prior to his appointment, he was trailled as 'the great white hope' (no offence intended) but whether that was just a load of guff or whether the circumstances prevented him from doing all that was expected/hoped of him remains to be seen.
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whether the circumstances prevented him from doing all that was expected/hoped of him remains to be seen.