Chief of Defence Force (New Zealand) The Chief of Defence Force (CDF) is the appointment held by the professional head of the New Zealand Defence Force. The post has existed under its present name since 1991. From 1963 to 1991 the head of the New Zealand Defence Force was known as the Chief of Defence Staff. All the incumbents have held three-star rank. Current Chief of Defence Force Tim Keating (soldier) Lieutenant General Tim Keating, MNZM is a New Zealand Army officer and the current Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force. He was appointed to this position immediately following his tenure as Vice Chief of Defence Force. He served as Chief of Army from 2011 to 2012. Keating was promoted to lieutenant general and took over as Chief of Defence Force for a three-year term on 1 February 2014. Career highlights January 1982: enlisted into the New Zealand Army as an Officer Cadet December 1982: joined the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment upon graduation from the Officer Cadet School in Waiouru January 1985: Second-in-Command of a Rifle Company, 2nd/1st Battalion June 1986: posted to New Zealand Special Air Service Group December 1988: promoted to the rank of Captain December 1990: returned to NZSAS Group and was appointed Officer Commanding A Squadron 1996: completed the Australian Command and Staff Course in Queenscliff October 1997: posted on promotion as the Commanding Officer of the New Zealand contingent to the Multinational Force in the Sinai Peninsula January 1999: Commanding Officer, 1 NZSAS Group December 2001: Commandant, Officer Cadet School July 2004: promoted to Colonel and appointed Special Projects Officer, Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand July 2005: Commander, CRIB 6 (a 100-strong contingent deployed to support international reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan) January 2006: Assistant Chief of General Staff, Office of Strategy Management December 2007: Commander, 2nd Land Force Group, Linton Military Camp June 2009: promoted to Brigadier and appointed Deputy Chief of Army September 2010: Chief of Staff to the Chief of Defence Force February 2011: promoted to Major General and appointed Chief of Army December 2012: appointed Vice Chief of the Defence Force January 2014: appointed Chief of the Defence Force Academic background Master's degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College (graduated in June 2004) Honours Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (2008) .