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-   -   New CDS Announced (https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/573533-new-cds-announced.html)

Tourist 22nd Jan 2016 09:08

Does he like the Navy?

teeteringhead 22nd Jan 2016 09:11

A good bloke by all accounts - so much for "no stick no vote!"

Seriously, his purple background is immaculate and I would guess that such a career path is the way ahead.

Look at his recent appointments: CDI, CJO, CJFC, VCDS - makes him a shoo in for CDS.

The single-Service Chiefs these days are barely even "providing commanders", more like Inspectors General.

"The future's bright, the future's purple!"

[although I will always treasure the look on his face at the Royal Banquet when GAPAN (Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators) became HCAP (Honorable Company of Air Pilots ....... incorporating Air Navigators!) ] :ok:

KPax 22nd Jan 2016 10:57

Maybe the RAF will get over what looks like snobbery and promote the best person for the CAS job rather than the 'best' Pilot.

Bismark 22nd Jan 2016 11:33

Well done that man an excellent choice for CDS. Rumour has it that Barrons was telling everyone he had it in the bag - never a good move - and Zambellas upset a few during SDSR.

Another rumour has a non aviator as a potential CAS - don't know the name though I think he is ACAS?

Davef68 22nd Jan 2016 11:51


Originally Posted by Bismark (Post 9245671)

Another rumour has a non aviator as a potential CAS - don't know the name though I think he is ACAS?

If so, he's an Engineering Officer

RAF - Assistant Chief of Air Staff (ACAS)

You know you are getting on when a candidate for CAS is younger than you.....


Congratulations to Sir Stuart on his CDS appointment

teeteringhead 22nd Jan 2016 11:54

Current ACAS is an engineer - Richard Knighton.

He has had a number of high profile non-engineer posts - see here, which would fit him well for the "heights"

But ACAS is only (sic!) a 2-star post, so there's a long way to go yet - but he certainly has the time - born in '69. That's after I joined ...... :{

And he's about 4 years younger than Jock Stirrup was when he was ACAS ........

CoffmanStarter 22nd Jan 2016 13:11

Many congratulations Sir Stuart ...

In other news ...

Scientists remain baffled by the seismological readings seen in the last 24 Hrs with an epicentre located on the Island of Grenada. Apparently an accompanying afterglow remains around the island where the residual incandescence has been measured in Giga Lumens ...

2Planks 22nd Jan 2016 13:39

Congrats to Sir Stu.


There will be a lot of 'po-faces' around the other 2 services and our very own fast-jet pilot community

Tourist 22nd Jan 2016 13:49

Can you blame the RN for being put out?
Rotating seems a not unreasonable idea. It keeps everybody honest.

MSOCS 22nd Jan 2016 13:54


There will be a lot of 'po-faces' around the other 2 services and our very own fast-jet pilot community
Anyone with that much 'concern' clearly needs a busier day job and doesn't know what Joint even means. Just let the inter-Service rivalry go ladies and gents - it isn't welcome in today's Armed Forces and many who question the choice aren't privy to the criteria and reasons that SofS applied in choosing the candidate.

Sir Stuart is an excellent choice for CDS IMHO. One of the sharpest, if not THE sharpest, minds in Defence.

Heathrow Harry 22nd Jan 2016 14:43

"Rotating seems a not unreasonable idea. It keeps everybody honest."

No - you get the best person for the job regardless of the colour of their uniform - anything else would be a disgrace

Mick Strigg 22nd Jan 2016 14:44

It is criminal that Admiral Sir George was not selected. It doesn't matter that it was "our turn", he was just the right man for the job.

Very unusual for VCDS to step up one isn't it>?

CoffmanStarter 22nd Jan 2016 15:02

The PM has said ...


I'm confident that Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach is the right man to continue General Sir Nick Houghton’s great legacy. For over a decade Sir Stuart has delivered exemplary leadership of the armed forces, with an extraordinary record of achievement. His experience as Commander Joint Forces Command and Chief of Joint Operations will be invaluable as we continue to ensure our brave armed forces remain among the most capable and agile in the world ...

Bismark 22nd Jan 2016 15:03


Very unusual for VCDS to step up one isn't it>?
No, it is now traditional (tradition = it happened last time).


But ACAS is only (sic!) a 2-star post, so there's a long way to go yet
Adm Essenhigh went straight from 2* to 4* not so long ago.

Kitbag 22nd Jan 2016 15:40

For a man with such 'Purple' credentials as espoused here, any betting on where the '100 year experiment' may end up?

Tankertrashnav 22nd Jan 2016 17:07


You know you are getting on when a candidate for CAS is younger than you.....
You also know you are getting on when the CDS was commissioned the same year that you left the service :(

MPN11 22nd Jan 2016 18:42

Whatever, it's a good day when the colour of the uniform or the badges on it take 2nd place to perceived competence in the role.

Who is this bloke anyway? After my time, I assume ... which is a bit scary! Commissioned 1977? Sh*t ... I was a sqn ldr by then. Where did I go wrong? :(

And go easy on the pies, Sir ;)

Sun Who 23rd Jan 2016 08:17

I have met him on several occasions.
An intelligent and considered man who follows the facts and takes no prisoners.
As others have said, a genuinely purple background. Respected by the Army senior brass. I have no knowledge of his standing with the Navy, but if they are prepared to work with a man who has the best interests of national security at the forefront of his mind, then all will be well.

Sun.

Courtney Mil 23rd Jan 2016 09:55

He's the sort of man that will support that which the Armed Forces actually need, but certainly won't put up with pettiness in any of the arms. He will expect the Navy to get their manning issues sorted. He's a thinking man who will expect his subordinate commanders to use their heads.

Of the VSOs available, he certainly gets my vote. Uniform colour is pretty much irrelevant. Sir George lacks the experience of the other services. Apart from a stint as PSO to CDS, his posts have always been very Dark Blue. I'm certain that would have counted against him.

ian16th 23rd Jan 2016 12:35


but he certainly has the time - born in '69. That's after I joined ......
You should worry, its after I was demobbed. :sad:


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