Royal College of Defence Studies

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The Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) is an internationally-renowned institution and component of the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom.

The RCDS Mission is:

"To prepare senior officers and officials of the United Kingdom and other countries and future leaders from the private and public sectors for high responsibilities in their respective organisations, by developing their analytical powers, knowledge of defence and international security, and strategic vision".

Formerly the Imperial Defence College, RCDS owes its origins to the recommendation of a cabinet committee in 1922 presided over by Winston Churchill, then Secretary of State for the Colonies.

The college was founded in 1927 and was located at 9 Buckingham Gate until 1939. Its work in those days was chiefly concerned with defence of the Empire, with a population of 25 Members drawn from the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

The experience of the Second World War proved the benefits of such an institution for training senior service officers and governments and services of the Commonwealth for the college to resume its work.

In 1946 the college reopened at its site at Seaford House, Belgrave Square. This was the first time members from the United States attended the course.

The college was renamed to "Royal College of Defence Studies" in 1970. The course composition has been progressively widened to include members from over 33 different countries, including in recent years China, Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, Poland, Pakistan, the Slovak Republic and Nepal.

The college celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 2002. The occasion was marked by a visit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

RCDS forms a part of the new Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. In fulfilment of its mission, the college runs one course a year, from January to December. Each course is attended by a maximum of 88 members, around one-third from UK and two-thirds from overseas. 75% are military officers of Colonel/Brigadier or equivalent rank. The remaining 25% are civil servants, diplomats, police officers and representatives from the private sector. All have been selected to attend the course on the strength of their potential to progress to a high position within their profession. Their average age is 46.

The College is under a Commandant, currently Admiral Sir Ian Garnett, KCB, and senior directing staff are major-general and equivalent officers from the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, and civil service.