ABSTRACT
In April 2000, the Ministry of Defence implemented the Armed Forces Overarching Personnel Strategy (AFOPS). Commissioned 18 months earlier, by the Strategic Defence Review, it is designed to promote operational effectiveness by providing a statement of vision, strategic guidance and direction for Armed Forces personnel policies. At the strategic level it aims to define and progress tri-Service personnel issues (where tri-Service policy adds value) and provide guidance on single Service personnel issues where required. Below strategic level, the single Services are responsible for the implementation of tri-Service personnel policies and for the development and implementation of personnel policies in those areas where tri-Service strategic guidance is not required. The AFOPS does not seek to impinge on the individual identity and ethos of each single Service which it is important to maintain.
