Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)

Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
Badge of the Ministry of Defence
Incumbent General Gwyn Jenkins since August 2022
Ministry of Defence
Abbreviation	VCDS
Member of	Defence Council Chiefs of Staff Committee
Reports to	Chief of the Defence Staff
Nominator	Secretary of State for Defence
Appointer	Prime Minister Subject to formal approval by the King-in-Council
Precursor	Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff
Formation	February 1964
First holder	Air Chief Marshal Sir Alfred Earle
Website	Official website

The Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS) is the deputy to the Chief of the Defence Staff, the professional head of the British Armed Forces.^[1] It is also the second most senior position within the British Armed Forces. The position was titled Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff before 1964.^[2] From 1966 to 1978 the post was occupied by a 3 star officer. From 1978 onwards the post has been held by a 4 star officer.