The 2005 reforms significantly broadened the responsibilities of the Chief of Defence Staff (CEMA), requiring a wide-ranging adaptation of the Defence Staff (EMA), not only in its organisation but also in the way it operates. The reinvigorated EMA which serves France’s armed forces enables the CEMA to exercise his responsibilities fully. It puts priority on the operational through a capabilities approach; it exemplifies the joint service culture and the cohesion of France’s armed forces, making use of the most modern management methods.
The Defence Staff in support of our arms
The Defence Staff (État-major des armées–EMA) is the executive organisation for the Chief of the Defence Staff (Chef d’état-major des armées–CEMA). Its function is to enable him to fully exercise his powers of command across all those domains over which his terms of reference give him authority.
Those terms of reference, established by the government in power, have recently undergone some significant changes. By assigning priority to operational matters, the decrees of May 2005 state that from now on a capability-based approach must be at the heart of all decision-making processes. This common theme linking the conduct of all military matters underpins every decision relating to the overall organisation of the Armed Forces, equipment choices and force generation and engagement. It strengthens the role of CEMA, who is solely responsible to the Minister for the coherence of the Armed Forces’ capability.
If we are to achieve this objective we must firstly ensure that the joint service culture is universally accepted. While not forgetting the unique nature of the different environments, this culture must ensure that the greater good is given priority over the single-service ethos.
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