Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Vishwamitra)

Deputy Chief of the Army Staff
Deputy Chief of the Army Staff
उप-सेनाध्यक्ष (Hindi)
	Flag of the Army
	Incumbent; Lieutenant General Raymond Smits; since 23 September 2024
	Royal Vishwamitran Army
Status	Deputy professional head of the army
Abbreviation	DCAS
Reports to	Chief of the Army Staff
Nominator	Minister of National Security
Appointer	Commander-in-Chief of the Army; at the advice of the Chief of the Army Staff
Term length	At His Illustrious and Royal Majesty's pleasure
Formation	19 August 2023

The Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (DCAS) (Hindi: उप-सेनाध्यक्ष‎) is the title of the deputy of the Chief of the Army Staff, the professional head of the Royal Vishwamitran Army. The deputy chief is the second senior-most military officer ranking after the Chief of the Army Staff, and is responsible in assisting the chief in overseeing the administration, operations, and strategic planning of the army, and advising the commander-in-chief and the government on military matters, defense policies, and ensuring the security and sovereignty of Vishwamitra.

The position has customarily held by a three-star general officer. The current deputy chief of the army staff is Lieutenant General Raymond Smits who has been serving in office since 23 September 2024.

History

The unofficial history behind the position of the deputy chief of the army staff dates back to 2018 when then Supreme Leader Varuna Sriraya appointed Arnab Sil as the Lieutenant General of the Army effectively him the deputy ceremonial head of the army, the land warfare branch of the armed forces. The position of the head of the Royal Vishwamitran Army was formally created on 17 February 2021 and Lieutenant-General Vincent Wilhelm von Ironside was appointed as the Commander of the Army. However, unlike the other two branches, no deputy commander was appointed for the army.

On 12 July 2022, the Royal Vishwamitran Navy and the Royal Vishwamitran Air Force were dissolved and the army was renamed as the Royal Vishwamitran Defence Forces. The chief of the army staff was re-designated as the Chief of the General Staff and the deputy to the chief of the general staff was the Deputy Chief of the General Staff and outgoing army chief General Vincent Wilhelm von Ironside was appointed to the position with the rank of a colonel-general. On 13 August 2023, the deputy chief of the general staff was re-designated as Deputy Chief of the Army Staff and a week later, Lieutenant General Rory Leonard was appointed as the deputy chief of the army staff succeeding Vincent Wilhelm von Ironside. Leonard was later nominated to the 16th Lok Sabha, effectively taking a leave from the army and later resigning on 29 November 2023. He was succeeded by Colonel Benjamin Levinson who was designated as Assistant Deputy Chief of the Army Staff, who served in office until his retirement on 31 May 2024 to join the council of ministers. The position remained vacant until the appointment of Lieutenant General Raymond Smits on 23 September 2024.

Appointment

The Deputy Chief of the Army Staff is appointed by the Rashtradhyaksh in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Vishwamitran Army on the advice of the Chief of the Army Staff and the nomination by the Minister of National Security. The deputy chief of the army staff remains in office at the pleasure of the Rashtradhyaksh.

Insignia

Rank insignia worn by the Deputy Chief of the Army Staff

Lieutenant General (OF-8)

Appointees

italic indicates acting office-holder

Deputy Chief of the General Staff (2022–2023)

No.	Portrait	Name (born–died)	Took office	Left office	Term length	Previous service background
1		Colonel General Vincent Wilhelm von Ironside Baron Ironside (born 2005)	12 July 2022	13 August 2023	7002397000000000000♠1 year, 32 days	Commander of the Army Chief of the Army Staff

Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (2023–present)

No.	Name (born–died)	Took office	Left office	Term length	Previous service background
1	Colonel Commandant Vincent Wilhelm von Ironside (born 2005)	13 August 2023	19 August 2023	7000600000000000000♠6 days	Commander of the Army Chief of the Army Staff
2	Lieutenant General Rory Leonard (born 2007)	19 August 2023	29 November 2023 on leave from 8 October	7002102000000000000♠102 days	Deputy Commander of the Defence Force
–	Colonel Benjamin Levinson (born 2009) (Assistant Deputy Chief)	29 November 2023	31 May 2024	7002184000000000000♠184 days	None
Position vacant during this interval
3	Lieutenant General Raymond Smits (born 1999)	23 September 2024	Incumbent	7001570000000000000♠57 days	None