The title chief of staff (or head of staff) identifies the leader of a complex organization such as the

armed forces A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. Militaries are typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with their members identifiable by a ...

, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a principal staff officer (PSO), who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide-de-camp to an important individual, such as a

president President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television *'' Præsident ...

, or a senior military officer, or leader of a large organization. In general, a chief of staff provides a buffer between a chief executive and that executive's direct-reporting team. The chief of staff generally works behind the scenes to solve problems, mediate disputes, and deal with issues before they are brought to the chief executive. Often chiefs of staff act as a confidant and advisor to the chief executive, acting as a sounding board for ideas. Ultimately the actual duties depend on the position and the people involved.

Civilian

Government

Australia

* Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister

Brazil

Chief of Staff of the Presidency The Minister of State Head of the Civilian House of the Presidency of the Republic () is the chief of staff of the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country ...

Canada

* Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister * Principal Secretary

Colombia

Germany

* Head of the German Chancellery

India

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India The Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India (PS to the PM; ISO: ''Bhārat Ke Pradhānmantrī Ke Pradhān Saciv'') is the administrative head of the Prime Minister's Office. The officeholder is generally a retired civil servant, mostl ...

Nigeria

* Chief of Staff to the President

Pakistan

* Principal Secretary to the President * Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister

Philippines

Chief of Staff (Philippines) The Malacañang Chief of Staff, named after Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the president of the Philippines, also referred to as the "presidential chief of staff," was an official position under the Office of the President of the ...

, a former position in the

Cabinet of the Philippines The Cabinet of the Philippines (, usually referred to as the Cabinet or Gabinete) consists of the heads of the largest part of the executive branch of the national government of the Philippines. Currently, it includes the secretaries of Executi ...

, serving under the

President of the Philippines The president of the Philippines (, sometimes referred to as ) is the head of state, head of government and chief executive of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-ch ...

Special Assistant to the President Special or specials may refer to: Policing * Specials, Ulster Special Constabulary, the Northern Ireland police force * Specials, Special Constable, an auxiliary, volunteer, or temporary; police worker or police officer * Special police forces Mi ...

South Korea

Chief Presidential Secretary The chief of staff to the president (), or chief presidential secretary, is the highest-ranking employee of the Blue House and serves as chief of staff to the president of South Korea. The chief presidential secretary is traditionally one of the ...

, chief of staff to the

President of South Korea The president of the Republic of Korea (), also known as the president of South Korea (), is the head of state and head of government of South Korea. The president directs the executive branch of the Government of South Korea, government and is ...

Spain

* Moncloa Chief of Staff

United Kingdom

Private Secretary to the Sovereign The private secretary to the sovereign is the senior operational member of the Royal Household of the sovereign of the United Kingdom (as distinct from the great officers of the Household, whose duties are largely ceremonial). The private secre ...

Downing Street Chief of Staff The Downing Street chief of staff is the most senior Special adviser (UK), political appointee in the 10 Downing Street#Office of the Prime Minister, Office of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, acting as a senior aide to the Prime Minist ...

Cabinet Secretary A cabinet secretary is usually a senior official (typically a civil servant) who provides services and advice to a cabinet of ministers as part of the Cabinet Office. In many countries, the position can have considerably wider functions and powe ...

Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister The Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is a senior official in the United Kingdom Civil Service who acts as principal private secretary to the prime minister of the United Kingdom. The holder of this office i ...

Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs The principal private secretary to the secretary of state for foreign and Commonwealth affairs is the head of the private office of the foreign minister of His Majesty's Government, and is located in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Main Bui ...

=Scotland

= *

Chief of Staff to the First Minister The Chief of Staff to the First Minister (Scottish Gaelic: ''Ceannard an Luchd-obrach don Phrìomh Mhinistear'') is the principal special adviser to the first minister of Scotland. As chief of staff, the incumbent office holder has access to all p ...

United States of America

Chief of staff The title chief of staff (or head of staff) identifies the leader of a complex organization such as the armed forces, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a principal staff officer (PSO), who is the coordinator of the supportin ...

, the most senior staff member in the office of a member of the United States Congress *

White House Chief of Staff The White House chief of staff is the head of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, a position in the federal government of the United States. The chief of staff is a Political appointments in the United States, politi ...

Military

In general, the positions listed below are not "chiefs of staff" as defined at the top of this page; they are the heads of the various forces/commands and tend to have subordinates that fulfill the "chief of staff" roles.

In general

* Chief of the Defence * Chief of the Defence Staff *

Chief of the General Staff The Chief of the General Staff (CGS) is a post in many armed forces (militaries), the head of the military staff. List * Chief of the General Staff (Abkhazia) * Chief of General Staff (Afghanistan) * Chief of the General Staff (Albania) * C ...

Chief of the Army Staff Chief of the Army Staff or Chief of Army Staff, which is generally abbreviated as COAS, is a title commonly used for the appointment held by the most senior staff officer or the chief commander in several nations' armies. * Chief of Army Staff ( ...

* Chief of the Air Staff * Chief of the Naval Staff * :Vice chiefs of staff

Azerbaijan

Chief of General Staff of Azerbaijani Armed Forces The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan Republic () is the Staff (military), military staff of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. It is the central organ of the Armed Forces Administration and oversees operational management of the armed fo ...

- head of General Staff of

Azerbaijani Armed Forces The Azerbaijani Armed Forces () is the military of the Azerbaijan, Republic of Azerbaijan. It was re-established according to the country's Law of the Armed Forces on 9 October 1991. The original Azerbaijan Democratic Republic's armed forces were ...

Canada

Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada) Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS; ; ) is the title of the professional head of the Canadian Armed Forces. As the senior military position, the CDS advises the Cabinet, particularly the minister of national defence and the prime minister. The po ...

** Chief of the Naval Staff ** Chief of the Air Staff

France

* Chief of the Defence Staff (French: , CEMA) **

Chief of Staff of the French Air Force The Chief of the Air and Space Force Staff (, CEMAAE) is the military head of the French Air and Space Force. The chief directs the air and space force staff and acts as the principal advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff (France), Chief of t ...

(French: , CEMAA) **

Chief of Staff of the French Army Chief may refer to: Title or rank Military and law enforcement * Chief master sergeant, the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force * Chief of police, the head of a police department * Chief of the bo ...

(French: , CEMAT) **

Chief of Staff of the French Navy The Chief of the Naval Staff (, , abbr. CEMM) is a French general officer, adviser to the Chief of the Defence Staff (France), Chief of the Defence Staff for the French Navy and responsible to the Minister of the Armed Forces (France), Minister of ...

(French: , CEMM) ** Chief of Staff of the French Gendarmerie (French: , DGGN)

Ghana

* Chief of Defence Staff **

** Chief of the Navy Staff ** Chief of the Air Staff

Greece

* Chief of the Defence Staff (Greece) ** Chief of Staff of the Hellenic Air Force ** Chief of Staff of the Hellenic Army **

Chief of Staff of the Hellenic Navy Chief may refer to: Title or rank Military and law enforcement * Chief master sergeant, the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force * Chief of police, the head of a police department * Chief of the boat ...

India

* Chief of Defence Staff (Indian Armed Forces) ** Chief of the Army Staff (Indian Army) ** Chief of the Naval Staff (Indian Navy) ** Chief of the Air Staff (Indian Air Force)

Indonesia

Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army (, abbreviated KSAD or KASAD) is the highest position in the Indonesian Army. The position is held by the four-star General appointed by and reporting directly to the Commander of the Armed Forces. Chi ...

Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy (, abbreviated KSAL or KASAL) is the highest position in the Indonesian Navy. The position is held by the four-star Admiral or Marine General, appointed by and reporting directly to the Commander of the I ...

Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force (, abbreviated KSAU or KASAU) is the highest position in the Indonesian Air Force. The position is held by the four-star Marshal, appointed by and reporting directly to the Commander of the Indonesia ...

Ireland

* Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces

Israel

* Chief of the Israeli General Staff

Italy

*Chief of the Defence Staff **

**Chief of the Navy Staff **Chief of the Air Force Staff

Pakistan

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) is, in principle, the highest-ranking and senior most uniformed military officer, typically at four-star rank, in the Pakistan Armed Forces who serves as a principal staff officer (PSO) an ...

Chief of Army Staff Chief may refer to: Title or rank Military and law enforcement * Chief master sergeant, the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force * Chief of police, the head of a police department * Chief of the boat ...

*** CGS ** Chief of Naval Staff *** Vice Chief of the Naval Staff **

Chief of Air Staff (Pakistan) The Chief of the Air Staff (reporting name: CAS) is a military appointment and a Statutory, statutory office held by an Air chief marshal (Pakistan), Air Chief Marshal in the Pakistan Air Force, who is appointed by the Prime Minister of Pakista ...

Philippines

*Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines, later renamed to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, AFP - exercises command and control over all elements of the

Armed Forces of the Philippines The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) () are the military forces of the Philippines. It consists of three main service branches; the Philippine Army, Army, the Philippine Air Force, Air Force, and the Philippine Navy, Navy (including the P ...

Portugal

* Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces ( Portuguese: , CEMGFA) - operational commander of the

Portuguese Armed Forces The Portuguese Armed Forces () are the military of Portugal. They include the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the other unified bodies and the three service branches: Portuguese Navy, Portuguese Army and Portuguese Air Force. The Presi ...

** Chief of Staff of the Navy (Portuguese: , CEMA) - commander of the

Portuguese Navy The Portuguese Navy (), also known as the Portuguese War Navy (''Marinha de Guerra Portuguesa'') or as the Portuguese Armada (''Armada Portuguesa''), is the navy of the Portuguese Armed Forces. Chartered in 1317 by King Dinis of Portugal, it is ...

** Chief of Staff of the Army (Portuguese: , CEME) - commander of the

Portuguese Army The Portuguese Army () is the land component of the Portuguese Armed Forces, Armed Forces of Portugal and is also its largest branch. It is charged with the defence of Portugal, in co-operation with other branches of the Armed Forces. With its ...

** Chief of Staff of the Air Force (Portuguese: , CEMFA) - commander of the

Portuguese Air Force The Portuguese Air Force () is the air force, aerial warfare force of Portugal. Locally it is referred to by the acronym FAP but internationally is often referred to by the acronym PRTAF. It is the youngest of the three branches of the Portuguese ...

Spain

* Chief of the Defence Staff ** Chief of Staff of the Army ** Chief of Staff of the Navy ** Chief of Staff of the Air Force

Sri Lanka

* Chief of the Defence Staff (Sri Lanka) - the most senior appointment in the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. ** Chief of Staff of the Army - deputy commander of the

Sri Lankan Army The Sri Lanka Army (; ) is the oldest and largest of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces. The army was officially established as the Ceylon Army in 1949, though the army traces its roots back in 1881 when Ceylon Light Infantry Volunteers was created; t ...

** Chief of Staff of the Navy - deputy commander of the

Sri Lankan Navy The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) (; ) is the navy, naval arm of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and is classed as the country's most vital defence force due to its island geography. It is responsible for the maritime defence of the Sri Lankan nation and its ...

** Chief of Staff of the Air Force - deputy commander of the

Sri Lankan Air Force The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF; ; ) is the air arm and the youngest of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces. It was founded in 1951 as the Royal Ceylon Air Force (RCyAF) with the assistance of the Royal Air Force (RAF). The SLAF played a major role throug ...

United Kingdom

* Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) - the professional head of the British Armed Forces. **Chief of the Naval Staff, more commonly called the

First Sea Lord First Sea Lord, officially known as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff (1SL/CNS), is the title of a statutory position in the British Armed Forces, held by an Admiral (Royal Navy), admiral or a General (United Kingdom), general of the ...

, formerly the

Chief of the Imperial General Staff Chief of the General Staff (CGS) has been the title of the professional head of the British Army since 1964. The CGS is a member of both the Chiefs of Staff Committee and the Army Board; he is also the Chair of the Executive Committee of the A ...

** Chief of the Air Staff The

Sovereign ''Sovereign'' is a title that can be applied to the highest leader in various categories. The word is borrowed from Old French , which is ultimately derived from the Latin">-4; we might wonder whether there's a point at which it's appropriate to ...

is the Commander-in-Chief. The CDS heads the

Chiefs of Staff Committee The Chiefs of Staff Committee (CSC) is composed of the most senior military personnel in the British Armed Forces, who advise on operational military matters and the preparation and conduct of military operations. The committee consists of the Ch ...

and is assisted by the Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff.

United States

Joint Chiefs of Staff The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) is the body of the most senior uniformed leaders within the United States Department of Defense, which advises the president of the United States, the secretary of defense, the Homeland Security Council and ...

, headed by the

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) is the presiding officer of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The chairman is the highest-ranking and most senior military officer in the United States Armed Forces Chairman: appointment; gra ...

(CJCS) **

Chief of Staff of the United States Army The chief of staff of the Army (CSA) is a statutory position in the United States Army held by a general officer. As the highest-ranking officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Army, the chief is the principal military advisor and a ...

*** An Army

general A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air force, air and space forces, marines or naval infantry. In some usages, the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colone ...

(O-10) serving as the senior ranking officer within the United States Army, but subordinate to any Army O-10 serving as CJCS or Vice CJCS **

Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force The chief of staff of the Air Force ( acronym: CSAF, or AF/CC) is the service chief of the United States Air Force. They are the principal military advisor to the secretary of the Air Force on matter pertaining to the Air Force. They are a m ...

*** An Air Force

(O-10) serving as the senior ranking officer within the United States Air Force, but subordinate to any USAF O-10 serving as CJCS or Vice CJCS * In unified combatant commands, headed by a

(O-10) or Navy

admiral Admiral is one of the highest ranks in many navies. In the Commonwealth nations and the United States, a "full" admiral is equivalent to a "full" general in the army or the air force. Admiral is ranked above vice admiral and below admiral of ...

(O-10) ** A major general (O-8) or Navy or Coast Guard

rear admiral Rear admiral is a flag officer rank used by English-speaking navies. In most European navies, the equivalent rank is called counter admiral. Rear admiral is usually immediately senior to commodore and immediately below vice admiral. It is ...

(O-8) overseeing the command's directorates * In military commands headed by a

lieutenant general Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the battlefield, who was norma ...

(O-9),

vice admiral Vice admiral is a senior naval flag officer rank, usually equivalent to lieutenant general and air marshal. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral. Australia In the Royal Australian Navy, the rank of Vice ...

(O-9), major general (O-8) or

(O-8), or brigadier general (O-7) or rear admiral, lower half (O-7) ** A

colonel Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...

(O-6) or Navy or Coast Guard

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police depa ...

(O-6) overseeing the entire general officer's/flag officer's command staff; in some cases may also be referred to as an ''executive assistant'' or ''executive officer'' *** In some commands and organizations, two officers in pay grade O-6 may be assigned as chief of staff and executive assistant, respectively.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Chief Of Staff * *

Civilian

Government

Australia

Brazil

Canada

Colombia

Germany

India

Nigeria

Pakistan

Philippines

South Korea

Spain

United Kingdom

=Scotland

United States of America

Military

In general

Azerbaijan

Canada

France

Ghana

Greece

India

Indonesia

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Pakistan

Philippines

Portugal

Spain

Sri Lanka

United Kingdom

United States

See also

References

External links