Useful

**alfred_the_great** · 31-01-2012, 21:47

Does anyone have a formal description of what a CoS does? I think we all have a 'gut' feeling, but trying to find an answer with some provenance!

**The13thDukeOfWybourne** · 31-01-2012, 21:52

.
Not sure, but moan about helmet scrim probably isn't one of them.

**Guns** · 31-01-2012, 22:19

JDP 5 has some thoughts on it.

**History_Man** · 31-01-2012, 22:29

Originally Posted by The13thDukeOfWybourne

.
Not sure, but moan about helmet scrim probably isn't one of them.

That just about sums up the Army at the moment...

**seaweed** · 01-02-2012, 09:46

Or do you mean Chief Staff Officer? Otherwise the Chief of Naval Staff is 1SL, you could ring him up and ask him.

**Guns** · 01-02-2012, 18:10

Chief Staff Officer and Chief of Staff are similar roles and JDP 003 and 005 give the more detailed answer (why does no one but me read our own doctrine? - JDP 4 Understanding anyone????).

**Dygbi** · 01-02-2012, 18:49

Originally Posted by Guns

(why does no one but me read our own doctrine? - JDP 4 Understanding anyone????).

The British write some of the best doctrine in the world; it is fortunate
that their officers do not read it.
Attributed to Colonel (later Field Marshal) Erwin Rommel

**Gassing_Badgers** · 01-02-2012, 19:02

Co-ordination/corraling/cajoling of the HQ's staff officers to run current operations and meet the commander's planning requirements.

**Guns** · 01-02-2012, 21:02

I think the phrase is a good chef of staff should be able to herd cats

**alfred_the_great** · 01-02-2012, 22:07

There's no Job Description of a CoS in JDP 3-00 or 5-00; there is a description of what they do in the Estimate process, but not in the rest of the cat herding time. It doesn't matter, I've found one now!