James,
This gives the CDS the final say in establishing the criteria for promotion, free from political interference, or at least that is the intent. In its early years the army in particular was patronage ridden and plagued by the political party in power at the time, promoting its friends in both the regular force and the reserves.
To get back to the main thrust of the discussion, if you read the statement, you will see that the CDS has the authority to direct, delegate and supervise the professional development of officers. The statement does not mean that there are no controls, quite the contrary.
This gives the CDS the final say in establishing the criteria for promotion, free from political interference, or at least that is the intent. In its early years the army in particular was patronage ridden and plagued by the political party in power at the time, promoting its friends in both the regular force and the reserves.
To get back to the main thrust of the discussion, if you read the statement, you will see that the CDS has the authority to direct, delegate and supervise the professional development of officers. The statement does not mean that there are no controls, quite the contrary.