Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS; French: chef d'état-major de la Défense; CEMD) is the title of the professional head of the Canadian Armed Forces. As the senior military position, the CDS advises the Cabinet, particularly the minister of national defence and the prime minister. The position is a Crown-in-Council appointment made on the advice of the prime minister.
Rear admiralRear admiral is a flag officer rank used by English-speaking navies. In most European navies, the equivalent rank is called counter admiral. Rear admiral is usually immediately senior to commodore and immediately below vice admiral. It is usually equivalent to the rank of major general in armies. In the U.S. Navy and some other navies, there are two rear admiral ranks.
Vice admiral (Australia)Vice admiral (abbreviated as VADM) is the second-highest active rank of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). It is a three-star rank, and was created as a direct equivalent of the British rank of vice admiral. The rank is held by the Chief of Navy and, when the positions are held by navy officers, by the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, the Chief of Joint Operations, the Chief of Joint Capabilities, or equivalent position.
Flag officerSenior military officer entitled to fly a flag of rankA flag officer is a commissioned officer in a nation's armed forces senior enough to be entitled to fly a flag to mark the position from which that officer exercises command, such as their flagship.
Vice Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)The vice chief of the Defence Force (VCDF) is the military deputy to the chief of the Defence Force (CDF) of Australia, and acts as the CDF in his absence under standing acting arrangements. Air Marshal Robert Chipman, the incumbent VCDF, has held the position since 9 July 2024. ResponsibilitiesCreated in 1986, the VCDF is a three-star officer in the Australian Defence Force (lieutenant general, vice admiral, or air marshal).
Chief of Navy (Australia)The chief of Navy is the most senior appointment in the Royal Australian Navy, responsible to the chief of the Defence Force (CDF) and the secretary of defence. The rank associated with the position is vice admiral (3-star). Vice Admiral Matt Buckley is the current chief of Navy; he assumed the position on 7 July 2026. AppointeesThe following list chronologically records those who have held the post of chief of Navy or its preceding positions.
Royal Australian NavyNaval warfare branch of the Australian Defence ForceMilitary unitThe Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The professional head of the RAN is the Chief of Navy (CN), Vice Admiral Matthew Buckley. The Chief of Navy is also jointly responsible to the Minister for Defence (MINDEF) and the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF).Air marshalAir marshal (Air Mshl or AM) is an air-officer rank used by some air forces, with origins from the Royal Air Force. The rank is used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence, including many Commonwealth nations. The rank is usually equivalent to a vice admiral or a lieutenant general. Air marshal is immediately senior to the rank of air vice-marshal and immediately subordinate to the rank of air chief marshal.
AdmiralAdmiral is one of the highest ranks in many navies. In the Commonwealth nations and the United States, a "full" admiral is equivalent to a "full" general or air chief marshal in the army or the air force. Admiral is ranked above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet, or fleet admiral. EtymologyThe word admiral in Middle English comes from Anglo-Frenchamiral, "commander", from Medieval Latinadmiralis, admirallus.General officerMilitary rankA general officer is an officer of high rank in the armies, and in some nations' air and space forces, marines or naval infantry. In some usages, the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colonel. General officer ranksThe adjective general had been affixed to officer designations since the late medieval period to indicate relative superiority or an extended jurisdiction. The various grades of general officer are at the top of the military rank structure.
Lieutenant generalMilitary rankLieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a captain general.Chief of Joint Operations (Australia)The Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS) is a three-star role within the Australian Defence Force (ADF), responsible for the Joint Operations Command and joint operational deployments, such as United Nations peacekeeping and joint task groups. Until 2007, the Vice Chief of the Defence Force (VCDF) was double hatted, additionally exercising the responsibilities of CJOPS.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.