Chief of defence
A chief of defence (or head of defence) is the highest ranked commissioned officer of a nation's armed forces. The acronym CHOD is in common use within NATO and the European Union as a generic term for the highest national military position within the NATO and EU member states, rather than the actual term used for individual positions. Thus, irrespective of the formal national designation of that position is some variation on Commander-in-Chief, Chief of Staff, Supreme Commander, or something else, they can all be referred to unambiguously as CHODs in NATO and EU terminology, although other terms are sometimes also seen within NATO. Thus, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the CHOD of the United States, the Chief of the Defence Staff is the CHOD of the United Kingdom, the Inspector General of the Bundeswehr is the CHOD of Germany, and the Chief of Defence (Forsvarssjefen) is the CHOD of Norway.
Both NATO and the EU occasionally hold CHODs meetings of the NATO Military Committee and the European Union Military Committee respectively.
Chief of defence positions in NATO member countries
Within member states of NATO, the following national positions are the CHOD positions. Sometimes more than one form of translation into English is encountered.
| Country | Position | Alternative translationsTemplate:Efn | Term in national language |
|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Chief of the General Staff[1] | Template:Langx Template:Langx |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Chief of Defence[5][6] | Template:Langx |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Chief of Defence | Template:Langx Template:Langx |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Montenegrin: Начелник Генералштаба / Načelnik Generalštaba | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Chief of the General Staff | Template:Langx |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Commander of the Armed Forces[22] | Template:Langx |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||
| Template:Flagcountry | File:Flag of the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.svg Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff |
In 2018 Slovenia appointed the first female Major General Alenka Ermenc to hold such a position in the history of NATO and Slovenia.[23][24][25]
CHOD positions by non-NATO EU country
Within the EU member states that are not members of NATO, the following national positions are the CHOD positions.
| Country | Position | Alternative translations | Term in national language used for the position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | File:Flag for the Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta.svg Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta[26] |
Template:Langx |
Other Chief of Defence positions by (non-NATO and non-EU) country
Note that in many countries outside of NATO and EU, the concept of civilian control of the military is inapplicable. In some countries the minister of defence is often a senior military officer. However, the list below only lists CHOD equivalents and not defense ministers.
| Country | Position | Alternative translations | Term in national language used for the position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Chief of the Defence Staff | Template:Langx |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | File:Flag of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Belarus.svg Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces |
Template:Langx Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||
| Template:Flagcountry | File:Bandeira-Insignia do Chefe do Estado-Maior Conjunto das Forças Armadas (Brasil).svg Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces |
Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | File:PLA Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission patch.svg Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission |
Chief of General Staff Commanding General of the People's Liberation Army General Staff Department |
Template:Zh |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Georgian: Script error: No such module "Lang". | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | File:Flag of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.svg Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Chief of General Staff |
Template:Langx | |
| File:Flag of Iraq.svg Iraq | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Superior Commander of the Public Services Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | File:Flag of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services (Myanmar).svg Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services |
Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | File:Flag of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army (Obverse).svg Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army |
Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | File:Flag of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.svg Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee |
Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | File:Rank flag for the Chief of the Joint Command (Peru).svg Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Head of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces |
Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Superior Commander of the Militias Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Lang-zh | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | File:Flag of a Swiss Armed Forces general and Chief of the Armed Forces.svg Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Chief of the Armed Forces |
Template:Langx Template:Langx Template:Langx Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Zh | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters | Template:Langx |
| Template:Flagcountry | File:Standard of Ukrainian Chief of the General Staff rect.svg Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine |
Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Langx Template:Langx Template:Langx Template:Langx | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Chief of the General Staff of the People's Army of Vietnam | Template:Langx |
Notes
References
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- ↑ NATO: Chief of the General Staff of Belgium, accessed on October 30, 2008
- ↑ NATO: Chief of General Staff of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, accessed on October 30, 2008
- ↑ NATO: Chief of the General Staff Armed Forces of the Czech Republic, accessed on October 30, 2008
- ↑ Estonian Defence Forces: Commander, accessed on November 12, 2014
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ NATO: Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, accessed on October 30, 2008
- ↑ NATO: Chief of Defence Staff Hungarian Army, accessed on October 30, 2008
- ↑ NATO: Director General of the Directorate for Degfence, accessed on December 15, 2022
- ↑ Iceland presents a special case since the country does not have its own armed forces as such. Thus, a civilian at the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs fulfills the role of CHOD in relation to NATO.
- ↑ NATO: Chief of Defense Staff of Italy, accessed on October 30, 2008
- ↑ NATO: Commander of the Latvian National Armed Forces, accessed on October 30, 2008
- ↑ NATO: Chief of Defence of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, accessed on October 30, 2008
- ↑ NATO: Chief of Staff of the Luxembourg Army, accessed on October 30, 2008
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1"., accessed on November 20, 2012
- ↑ NATO: Chief of General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, accessed on October 30, 2008
- ↑ NATO: Chief of Defence of Portugal, accessed on October 30, 2008
- ↑ NATO: Chief of Defence of Romania, accessed on October 30, 2008
- ↑ NATO: Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, accessed on October 30, 2008
- ↑ NATO: Chief of General Staff of the Slovenian Armed Forces, accessed on October 30, 2008
- ↑ NATO: Chief of Defence Staff of Spain, accessed on October 30, 2008
- ↑ NATO: Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces, accessed on October 30, 2008
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".