According to the Singapore Presidential Office website, the position entails handling the President's security and his/her social needs, in addition to other general duties.

[5] A number of powers relating to summary trials for military offences is vested in the CDF.

Paragraph 2, Section 62 of the Singapore Armed Forces Act states that any offence in which the accused holds the rank of Colonel or Military Expert 7 is to be referred to the CDF,[6] who can then dismiss the charge, hold a summary trial, or pass the case on to the director of legal services of the SAF,[7] who can in turn instruct the CDF to try the accused.

[17] A news report from The Straits Times on Campbell's death refers to him as having been "army chief.

"[15] In 1974, Colonel Winston Choo was appointed Director, General Staff and promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General.

[21][22] Although Campbell and Vij have both held a position of similar authority, Choo is referred to as the first CDF in a number of MINDEF publications.