The next First Sea Lord is not a naval officer – an unprecedented move. General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, a Royal Marines officer, has taken over as the professional head of the Royal Navy. This marks the first time in centuries that the position has been held by a non-sailor, Forces News reports.
The role of First Sea Lord is to act as the professional head of the Royal Navy, providing advice on naval matters to ministers and the Prime Minister.
The post-holder is the most visible face of the Navy and has traditionally been filled by an officer from the Seaman (later Warfare) branch, who had commanded major warships at sea.
It has never been filled by a Royal Marine before, which makes this move so unusual, but also so welcome.
The Royal Marines has a centuries-long history, dating back to 1664 – and indeed there has been a corps longer than there has been the office of First Sea Lord.
Marines have served on land and sea across the world, fighting both alongside sailors on warships and battles ashore.
In recent years Royal Marines have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as conducting all manner of other operations from training Ukrainians in commando raids to carrying out special forces operations across the globe through the secretive Special Boat Service (SBS).
While they may not be sailors, they are a vital part of the wider Royal Navy.
They go to sea on different Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships to carry out amphibious warfare operations, and fly using Fleet Air Arm helicopters as part of the Commando Helicopter Force.
Meanwhile, the Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines use their unique skills and abilities are vital to protect the UK’s strategic nuclear deterrent both on shore and while Royal Navy Trident submarines are at their most vulnerable on the surface at the start and end of their patrols.
There are few parts of naval life that the Royal Marines do not have a role to play in.
Even so, it is likely that there will be eyebrows raised at the news that a General, not an Admiral, has become the next head of the Royal Navy.
“How can a Royal Marine tell the Prime Minister how a naval war should be fought?” some will argue.
Others will see it as profoundly odd that a Marine will represent sailors on the world stage, the lovat uniform sitting uneasily alongside the elegant naval officers’ uniforms in official photos.
Both arguments are easy to understand from an emotional perspective, but ignore the fact that General Sir Gwyn is uniquely well-placed to lead the service through a period of real challenge and change.
Gen Sir Gwyn takes over in the role at a time when the Royal Navy will find itself charged with implementing the findings of the Strategic Defence Review while also engaging in battles over budget allocations.
Some additional money has been allocated to defence, but it probably won’t be enough to meet every emerging requirement.
The General will need to be able to muster a compelling case for the Navy, advocating for investment, growth and change – and not cuts and savings.
He will oversee some of the most transformative changes that the Royal Navy has undergone in years.
During his watch, we are likely to see the new Type 26 and Type 31 frigates enter service, as well as defining the future of the Multi Role Strike Ship programme, a critical plan to introduce the next generation of littoral raiding vessels to replace the older LPDs like HMS Albion and Bulwark.
He will play a critical role in ensuring that the Royal Navy of the late 2020s and early 2030s is fit for the tasks ahead of it.
Ensuring the service is fit to fight if needed
In the short-term, though, he will need to lead the service through one of the most troubled political landscapes in generations, as the combination of a looming Russian threat, coupled with the perception that America is actively disengaging from Nato makes Europe feel increasingly vulnerable.
The Royal Navy will need to play a full part in helping secure European security, in missions ranging from conducting deployments to the Baltic with small patrol craft and raiding patrols of Royal Marines, to working in the Arctic with Scandinavian allies to practise defence against Russian invasion.
There will be an ongoing need to protect against Russian “grey zone” capabilities, such as targeting undersea cables too.
These are complex problems to overcome, requiring an ability to persuasively make the case for sea power within Whitehall to an audience that is often blind to the importance of the maritime world.
Thankfully, Gen Sir Gwyn is one of the most qualified experts in Whitehall warfare that the Royal Navy has produced in years.
Uniquely among his peers, he has worked not only in traditional military staff jobs but also served as the Prime Minister’s military adviser, providing advice to the PM on military issues, as well as the Deputy National Security Advisor (DNSA).
He has also filled the post of Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. This wealth of knowledge about how Whitehall works, understanding of how other Government departments see the national security landscape, and understanding how to make the case for sea power at the highest levels of the government will prove invaluable in the years ahead.
In the brutal world of Whitehall reviews and staff work, putting Gen Sir Gwyn into this role is the Royal Navy equivalent of bringing a gun to a knife fight.
He is an expert in Whitehall politics and well-positioned to ensure that the Royal Navy can make a compelling case for investment in the years ahead.
