[5][c] The primary responsibilities and duties of the Chief of Defence (and the charter for the Armed Forces) are prescribed in an ordinance issued by the Government.

[6] The Chief of Defence is, apart from the honorary ranks held by the King of Sweden and in the past other members of the Swedish royal family, by unwritten convention normally the only professional military officer on active duty to hold the highest rank (a four-star General or Admiral).

[8] The command flag of the Chief of Defence is drawn by Brita Grep and embroidered by hand by the Kedja studio, Heraldica.

Until 30 June 1994, the Chief of the Defence Staff was the second most senior member of the Swedish Armed Forces.

When the Swedish Armed Forces was reorganized on 1 July 1994, the Chief of the Defence Staff position was abolished.

Lieutenant General Percurt Green became the first Deputy Chief of Defence who took office on 1 July 1994.

[19] From 1 October 2005, the post of Deputy Chief of Defence became the Director General of the Swedish Armed Forces held by a civil servant.