The Chief of the Military Staff of the President of the Republic (French: Chef d'état-major particulier du président de la République) is a role in the military and government of France, heading the President's military staff until the present Fifth Republic.
The President's 'military household' (maison militaire) was formed by president Mac-Mahon but not institutionalised until 1880. This group of officers advised the president on army matters, especially (under the French Third Republic) matters of ceremony. Such an allocation was useful since it allowed its officers to nourish political contacts in Paris who could aid their army careers.
The 'chef dâÂÂétat-major particulier' (CEMP) is the chief military adviser to the French president. The president serves as commander-in-chief of the French armed forces. As interface between the military and the president, the CEMP plays a vital role in putting into practice nuclear deterrence. The CEMP usually goes on to become chef dâÂÂétat-major des armées.