unlike the usc, who were controlled by the stormont government in belfast, the udr was under the direct command of the general officer commanding northern ireland (gocni), the commander of the british army in northern ireland. a six-man udr advisory council (three protestant and three catholic) was formed and chaired by the colonel commandant. its brief was "to advise the gocni on policy for the administration of the ulster defence regiment, in particular on recruitment; and on such specific matters as the gocni might refer to the council."