Chief of Defence Staff warns greater demands ahead for UK Armed Forces in future operations

The Chief of Defence Staff, Sir Rich Knighton, has said "more is going to be asked" of Armed Forces personnel as he delivered the closing speech at the annual Celebrating Forces Families Awards.

Speaking about service personnel, Sir Richard said the highlight of his role as CDS so far had been getting out and seeing the men and women of the Armed Forces "doing what they do best".

Recognising the contribution of military families across the UK and overseas, the event brought together families, organisations and advocates from across the community.

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"Whether it's on the aircraft carrier in the Adriatic Sea, RAF personnel working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to protect the skies of others, or on Salisbury Plain meeting soldiers learning new skills – how to operate drones and do things in a modern way," he said.

He added that this is what makes him proud of the Armed Forces, and emphasised that "what they do matters – and it matters more now than it has for many years".

"As I look around the world today, we are going to ask more of them and ask them to do different things," he said.

Confidence, stability and focus

The fifth annual Celebrating Forces Families Awards – held at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London – was co-hosted by BFBS presenter Sian Grzeszczyk Melbourne and Richard Jones, a former veteran and the magician winner of Britain's Got Talent in 2016.

Addressing the families of Armed Forces personnel, Sir Rich said: "The support you provide enables us to be operationally effective. It gives our people the confidence, the stability and the focus they need to serve our country – your country.

"Service life is not just demanding for those of us in uniform; it can place real and lasting demands on families as well. Frequent moves, time apart, disrupted careers and disrupted education.

"These are all part of service life, and much of this contribution can go unseen. There are no medals. There is no bling for holding families together during long separations, for helping children adapt to yet another move, or for trying to sustain a sense of community.

"But these quiet, everyday acts matter enormously to all of us in uniform. They ensure that we can do our jobs today and tomorrow," he concluded.