The Chief of the Imperial General Staff (CIGS) is the professional head of the Jinavian Armed Forces and the principal military adviser to the Government. The Emperor is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and therefore is senior even to the CIGS. The current Chief of the Imperial General Staff is Lord Marshal of the Empire Baron Esteban Gallaron-y-Fastilla. Chiefs of the Imperial General Staff are appointed on the proposal of the Minister of War to the Prime Minister before being approved by the Emperor. Customarily, former Chiefs of Imperial General Staff receive a life peerage on retirement, sitting in the House of Peers as non-political crossbench peers. Their appointment is is nominated directly to the Emperor by the Prime Minister; whom elects to propose 'a limited number of d