Annual Report 2004-05

Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group

Overview

The Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group includes both the Joint Operations Command (which delivers Outcome 1 – Command of Operations) and a number of owner support functions. The performance of the Joint Operations Command is reported in Chapter Four - Outcome Performance.

The owner support functions include providing joint logistics support to capability development, ADF Reserve Policy, ADF Cadet Policy, the management of the ADF Parliamentary Program and the National Welfare Coordination Centre.

The Vice Chief of the Defence Force is both a Group Head and the Chief of Joint Operations. In this role, he commands ADF operations on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Force, and he acts as Chief of the Defence Force whenever the Chief of the Defence Force is absent from duty.

The Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group comprises:

• Joint Logistics Command - responsible for strategic logistics by determining and harnessing Defence, domestic and international support, and through the operation of regional Joint Logistics units and through contractors;
• Reserve Policy Division - provides advice to the Chief of the Defence Force on matters concerning Reserve personnel, and assists with the coordination of single-service Reserve non-operational activities;
• Cadet Policy Division - works with ADF cadet organisations to assist them to become a source of potential recruits by presenting the ADF as an employer of choice through a series of projects designed to improve the cadet experience and removing the barriers to the recruiting process;
• the ADF Parliamentary Program - aims to provide parliamentarians with a rewarding, memorable and educational experience with the ADF, and so enable them to contribute to debate on Defence and national security issues in an informed and constructive manner; and
• the National Welfare Coordination Centre - provides welfare and family support to personnel deployed on, and in support of, specific operations who are away from their home location, including visitors and Defence civilians.