Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)

Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
Admiral General Air Chief Marshal Rank insignia of the incumbent as per branch
Incumbent General Gordon Messenger since May 2016
Style	Admiral General Air Chief Marshal
Inaugural holder	Air Chief Marshal Sir Alfred Earle

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. The position was titled Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff before 1964. 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.

List of Vice Chiefs of the Defence Staff

These were:

• 1964 to 1966 – Air Chief Marshal Sir Alfred Earle
• 1966 to 1967 – Lieutenant General Sir George Cole
• 1967 to 1970 – Vice Admiral Sir Ian Hogg
• 1970 to 1972 – Air Marshal Sir John Barraclough
• 1972 to 1973 – Lieutenant General Sir John Gibbon
• 1973 to 1975 – Air Marshal Sir Peter Le Cheminant
• 1975 to 1977 – Vice Admiral Sir Henry Leach
• 1977 to 1978 – Vice Admiral Anthony Morton
• 1978 to 1979 – General Sir Edwin Bramall
• 1979 to 1981 – General Sir Patrick Howard-Dobson
• 1981 to 1983 – Air Chief Marshal Sir David Evans
• 1983 to 1984 – Admiral Sir Peter Herbert
• 1984 to 1987 – Post vacant
• 1987 to 1988 – Air Chief Marshal Sir Patrick Hine
• 1988 to 1991 – General Sir Richard Vincent
• 1991 to 1993 – Admiral Sir Benjamin Bathurst
• 1993 to 1995 – Admiral Sir Jock Slater
• 1995 to 1997 – Air Chief Marshal Sir John Willis
• 1997 to 2001 – Admiral Sir Peter Abbott
• 2001 to 2005 – Air Chief Marshal Sir Anthony Bagnall
• 2005 to 2009 – General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman
• 2009 to 2013 – General Sir Nicholas Houghton
• 2013 to 2016 – Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach
• 2016 to present - General Gordon Messenger