Chief of defence

The acronym CHOD is in common use within NATO and the European Union as a generic term for the highest national military position within the NATO and EU member states, rather than the actual term used for individual positions.

Thus, irrespective of the formal national designation of that position is some variation on Commander-in-Chief, Chief of Staff, Supreme Commander, or something else, they can all be referred to unambiguously as CHODs in NATO and EU terminology, although other terms are sometimes also seen within NATO.

Both NATO and the EU occasionally hold CHODs meetings of the NATO Military Committee and the European Union Military Committee respectively.

Note that in many countries outside of NATO and EU, the concept of civilian control of the military is inapplicable.

In some countries the minister of defence is often a senior military officer.

The CHODs of from 29 countries gathered at the Pentagon on March 11, 2002. The Chiefs of Defence in the picture include US Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers , Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ; French Army Gen. Jean-Pierre Kelche, Chief of the Defence Staff ; Dutch Navy Adm. Luuk Kroon , Chief of Defence ; German Air Force Gen. Harald Kujat , Inspector General of the Bundeswehr ; British Navy Adm. Sir Michael Boyce , Chief of the Defence Staff
Three CHODs leaving Lancaster House in London, 10 June 2011. L-R: US Navy Adm. Michael Mullen , Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; French Navy Adm. Édouard Guillaud , Chief of Defence Staff; British Gen. Sir David Richards , Chief of Defence Staff.