The Armed Forces Act 2006 introduced a package of improvements to the service complaints process including the establishment of an independent Service Complaints Commissioner (SCC). The recruitment process for the position will begin shortly.
In formulating changes to the complaints process, the objective was to introduce independence into the system without undermining the chain of command and its overall responsibilities for the welfare of those under command. While there are no plans to establish a military complaints commission or an office of a military ombudsman, the powers available to the SCC, combined with the other improvements, will offer service personnel a better overall system.