David Eastman (British Army officer)

David Eastman
Eastman in 2016
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchBritish Army
Years of service1989–present
RankLieutenant General
CommandsDeputy Chief of the General Staff
Standing Joint Command (UK)
Regional Command
102nd Logistic Brigade
2 Close Support Battalion REME
Battles / warsBosnian War
Kosovo War
Iraq War
War in Afghanistan
AwardsMember of the Order of the British Empire

Lieutenant General David James Eastman, MBE is a senior British Army officer. He served as General Officer Commanding Regional Command from February 2020 to July 2022, and in June 2024 was appointed as the Deputy Chief of the General Staff.

Military career

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Eastman was commissioned into the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in 1989.[1] After serving as Deputy Chief of Staff, 16 Air Assault Brigade from 2005 to 2006, he became commanding officer of 2 Close Support Battalion REME.[1] Eastman was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in December 2006, for services during the first UK deployment to Helmand Province.[2] He went on to be commander of the 102nd Logistic Brigade in September 2015,[3] and Head of Military International Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Defence in May 2017.[4]

Eastman was promoted to the substantive rank of major general on 14 February 2020,[5] on appointment as General Officer Commanding Regional Command and Commander, Cadets.[6] He temporarily held the appointment of Commander Standing Joint Command (UK) from 25 May to 7 September 2020 at the height of the pandemic.[7][8] In September 2022, he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Capability and Force Design).[9]

In June 2024, Eastman was appointed Deputy Chief of the General Staff, with promotion to lieutenant general on 10 June 2024.[10][11] Eastman has been Master General REME since 1 April 2023.[12] He is also the Colonel Commandant of Royal Corps of Army Music,[13] and on 1 July 2024 he was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Engineer and Logistic Staff Corps Army Reserve.[14]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Brigadier D J Eastman MBE BEng(Hons) MSc CEng FiMechE" (PDF). Welbeck – The Defence Sixth Form College. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  2. ^ "No. 58183". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 December 2006. p. 17356.
  3. ^ "Army Commands" (PDF). Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  4. ^ "Ministry of Defence and Senior Tri-Service Appointments" (PDF). Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  5. ^ "No. 62921". The London Gazette (Supplement). 18 February 2020. p. 2967.
  6. ^ "Current generals" (PDF). Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  7. ^ "Standing Joint Command Appointments" (PDF). whatdotheyknow.com. whatdotheyknow. 23 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020. In response to the first question, Maj Gen Eastman was the SJC(UK) from 25 May – 7 Sep 20. In response to the second question, please note that up until that point Lt Gen Urch was the Commander (Maj Gen Eastman – Deputy) and he resumed the role of Commander after the 7 Sep 20
  8. ^ "RAF completes COVID support task at Kinloss". 12 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  9. ^ "Defence Committee: Oral evidence: The US, UK and NATO, HC 184". House of Commons. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  10. ^ "No. 64492". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 August 2024. p. 16079.
  11. ^ "Appointment of Lt Gen David Eastman MBE as the Deputy Chief of the General Staff". British Army. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  12. ^ "No. 64276". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 January 2024. p. 26495.
  13. ^ "Colonel Commandant of The Royal Corps of Army Musi". The RCAM Trust. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  14. ^ "No. 64497". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 August 2024. p. 16447.
Military offices
Preceded by GOC Regional Command
2020–2022
Succeeded by
Preceded by Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff
(Capability and Force Design)

2022–2024
Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Chief of the General Staff
2024–present
Incumbent