New CDS
Last edited by WE Branch Fanatic; 7th Oct 2021 at 12:12.
He prioritised capabilities and getting ships to sea over scared cows and senior officers, so he might just be in time.
https://twitter.com/FTusa284/status/1445018268583010316
https://twitter.com/FTusa284/status/1445018268583010316
Jack
In The Times this afternoon.
Royal Navy Admiral Sir Tony Radakin named as next head of the armed forces
Royal Navy Admiral Sir Tony Radakin named as next head of the armed forces
The head of the navy who brought in the submarine deal with Australia and America has been chosen by the prime minister as the next head of the armed forces.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, 55, will take over from General Sir Nick Carter, 62, as chief of the defence staff when he steps down at the end of November.
The First Sea Lord is the first military chief to come from the navy since Admiral Sir Michael Boyce in 2001. His appointment was widely expected in recent weeks despite strong competition from other chiefs, including General Sir Patrick Sanders, the chief of strategic command, who was well-liked across the forces.
Announcing the decision, Boris Johnson said Radakin had proven himself as an “outstanding military leader” and under his command there were more sailors on the front line, warships at sea — including two aircraft carriers — and the UK was leading a “shipbuilding renaissance” protecting lives around the UK.
He said Radakin would lead the forces “at a time of incredible change while upholding the values and standards that they are respected for around the world”.
Described by insiders as “charismatic”, Radakin had been seen as a likely favourite given the prime minister’s focus on shipbuilding and having a greater naval presence overseas as part of “Global Britain”. He positioned himself as a “doer” who would transform the military.
The Times also revealed last month how Radakin brought in the nuclear-powered submarine deal with Australia and America, which led to the Aukus pact. The pact between the three nations was described by the prime minister’s national security adviser as “the most significant capability collaboration anywhere in the world in the past decades”.
The contest for the post had previously been considered a two-horse race between Radakin and Sanders. Sanders, the head of strategic command which oversees cyber, special forces and military intelligence, was seen as a highly competent chief, a “soldier’s soldier” and mental health champion who knew how to communicate with the lower ranks.
The race for the job was unusual as for the first time a three-star candidate had been put forward after Johnson told Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, that he wanted “radical thinking” and a “broader pool” of candidates to select from, even if it meant them skipping a rank.
Vice Admiral Ben Key, who led the evacuation effort in Afghanistan, applied and is likely to be given the role of First Sea Lord. General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith had also been in the running and was a personal friend of Johnson’s, with whom he went to Eton.
Radakin, whose appointment was approved by the Queen, said he was “humbled” to have been selected in a period of enormous change, saying: “It will be an immense privilege to lead our outstanding people who defend and protect the United Kingdom.”
He added: “The prime minister and secretary of state have demanded reform and we must seize the opportunity the government has given us and ensure we are a global force delivering for Global Britain.”
Wallace said of the announcement: “Admiral Tony brings an unparalleled wealth of experience to the role at a time of significant change for the armed forces and Ministry of Defence.
“We are modernising to address the challenges posed by an increasingly unstable world and I know he will lead the armed forces with distinction in his new post.”
He added: “There is much to be done, at home and abroad, the threats against the UK and our allies are growing.”
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, 55, will take over from General Sir Nick Carter, 62, as chief of the defence staff when he steps down at the end of November.
The First Sea Lord is the first military chief to come from the navy since Admiral Sir Michael Boyce in 2001. His appointment was widely expected in recent weeks despite strong competition from other chiefs, including General Sir Patrick Sanders, the chief of strategic command, who was well-liked across the forces.
Announcing the decision, Boris Johnson said Radakin had proven himself as an “outstanding military leader” and under his command there were more sailors on the front line, warships at sea — including two aircraft carriers — and the UK was leading a “shipbuilding renaissance” protecting lives around the UK.
He said Radakin would lead the forces “at a time of incredible change while upholding the values and standards that they are respected for around the world”.
Described by insiders as “charismatic”, Radakin had been seen as a likely favourite given the prime minister’s focus on shipbuilding and having a greater naval presence overseas as part of “Global Britain”. He positioned himself as a “doer” who would transform the military.
The Times also revealed last month how Radakin brought in the nuclear-powered submarine deal with Australia and America, which led to the Aukus pact. The pact between the three nations was described by the prime minister’s national security adviser as “the most significant capability collaboration anywhere in the world in the past decades”.
The contest for the post had previously been considered a two-horse race between Radakin and Sanders. Sanders, the head of strategic command which oversees cyber, special forces and military intelligence, was seen as a highly competent chief, a “soldier’s soldier” and mental health champion who knew how to communicate with the lower ranks.
The race for the job was unusual as for the first time a three-star candidate had been put forward after Johnson told Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, that he wanted “radical thinking” and a “broader pool” of candidates to select from, even if it meant them skipping a rank.
Vice Admiral Ben Key, who led the evacuation effort in Afghanistan, applied and is likely to be given the role of First Sea Lord. General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith had also been in the running and was a personal friend of Johnson’s, with whom he went to Eton.
Radakin, whose appointment was approved by the Queen, said he was “humbled” to have been selected in a period of enormous change, saying: “It will be an immense privilege to lead our outstanding people who defend and protect the United Kingdom.”
He added: “The prime minister and secretary of state have demanded reform and we must seize the opportunity the government has given us and ensure we are a global force delivering for Global Britain.”
Wallace said of the announcement: “Admiral Tony brings an unparalleled wealth of experience to the role at a time of significant change for the armed forces and Ministry of Defence.
“We are modernising to address the challenges posed by an increasingly unstable world and I know he will lead the armed forces with distinction in his new post.”
He added: “There is much to be done, at home and abroad, the threats against the UK and our allies are growing.”
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I wish him well. I wouldn't want the job of herding Military cats around Whitehall.
Happy to hear its a Naval Officer once again after a 20 year gap. I do recall back in the noughties Max Hastings, following the incident with the Iranians seizing the RN Patrol Boat (I think that's what it was from memory), giving his verdict that aside from maritime and aviation related military matters, Navy and RAF Chiefs shouldn't be considered for CDS post, in modern times, as they weren't sufficiently military in their thinking. Then again, Max Hastings was another one doubting the need for the RAF when the 2010 SDSR loomed. Very much a land force man Mr Hastings,
FB
FB
As he was nearly 25 when he was commissioned in 1990 and trained as barrister (called to the bar in 1996!) I should think he brings a very sharp mind and perhaps a more varied perspective to the job. Although it's nice to see an RN CDS, I think the end of buggins' turn was a sensible step.
It will be interesting to see if, as predicted by the papers, the looker and ex-skipper of Illustrious Ben Key beats the other 3*s (2SL or the Fleet Commander) to the 1SL berth.
It will be interesting to see if, as predicted by the papers, the looker and ex-skipper of Illustrious Ben Key beats the other 3*s (2SL or the Fleet Commander) to the 1SL berth.
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BBC News feed … “Some question his lack of operational experience - he's spent more time behind a desk than driving ships.” ⁉️
I suspect he’s not spent much time pulling 9g or leading a Battalion charge. And ‘not running the ship/boat aground’ is hardly the requirement either. UK needs a CDS with a brain and political savvy (see my herding cats comment above). The uniform/capbadge is utterly irrelevant.
I suspect he’s not spent much time pulling 9g or leading a Battalion charge. And ‘not running the ship/boat aground’ is hardly the requirement either. UK needs a CDS with a brain and political savvy (see my herding cats comment above). The uniform/capbadge is utterly irrelevant.
I do recall back in the noughties Max Hastings, following the incident with the Iranians seizing the RN Patrol Boat (I think that's what it was from memory), giving his verdict that aside from maritime and aviation related military matters, Navy and RAF Chiefs shouldn't be considered for CDS post, in modern times, as they weren't sufficiently military in their thinking.
Looks like Tony Radakin isn't all he appears to be. He bullied and disregarded Maj Gen Matt Holmes and issued diktats over the RM-USMC relationship.
I know the attempted Naval putsch which aimed to get rid of the Royal Marines rank structure was averted, but this looks pretty bad.
Article here
I know the attempted Naval putsch which aimed to get rid of the Royal Marines rank structure was averted, but this looks pretty bad.
Article here
Looks like Tony Radakin isn't all he appears to be. He bullied and disregarded Maj Gen Matt Holmes and issued diktats over the RM-USMC relationship.
I know the attempted Naval putsch which aimed to get rid of the Royal Marines rank structure was averted, but this looks pretty bad.
Article here
I know the attempted Naval putsch which aimed to get rid of the Royal Marines rank structure was averted, but this looks pretty bad.
Article here
Why turn a tragedy into a witch hunt? Is this just a particularly nasty smear campaign?
You may or may not have noticed that there is an epidemic of male suicide in the West, with people that everyone thought were fine falling victim.
Looks like Tony Radakin isn't all he appears to be. He bullied and disregarded Maj Gen Matt Holmes and issued diktats over the RM-USMC relationship.
I know the attempted Naval putsch which aimed to get rid of the Royal Marines rank structure was averted, but this looks pretty bad.
Article here
I know the attempted Naval putsch which aimed to get rid of the Royal Marines rank structure was averted, but this looks pretty bad.
Article here
Radakin is CNS. CGRM works for CNS.
The military is a top-down organisation. You can push back against your boss but doing it too hard, too publically, outside the chain of command, and/or too often is a recipe for getting a new appointment at short notice.
N
Looks like Tony Radakin isn't all he appears to be. He bullied and disregarded Maj Gen Matt Holmes and issued diktats over the RM-USMC relationship.
I know the attempted Naval putsch which aimed to get rid of the Royal Marines rank structure was averted, but this looks pretty bad.
Article here
I know the attempted Naval putsch which aimed to get rid of the Royal Marines rank structure was averted, but this looks pretty bad.
Article here
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Warrender
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John..._Navy_officer)
Avoid imitations
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The monstrosity that is the Ministry of Defence was heaped upon us by the Royal Navy, in the person of the Chief of Defence Staff, and ex First Sea Lord, Lord Louis Mountbatten. If the new CDS is bent upon reform I wish him good fortune, he will need all that he can get. The abomination that his predecessor perpetrated has cost this nation capability, waste, and far too many lives. I recommend he finds a much larger broom.
It would seem that he started well in his previous job. This one will be much harder, very much harder. Good luck, Sir.
It would seem that he started well in his previous job. This one will be much harder, very much harder. Good luck, Sir.