This is the first time a general—a rank normally reserved for ground forces—ascends to the position of First Sea Lord.
Yesterday, the Royal Navy received its new First Sea Lord—the formal title for the commander of the British fleet. On Thursday, King Charles III approved the appointment of General Sir Gwyn Jenkins KCB OBE RM as the new First Sea Lord, Chief of the Naval Staff, and Aide-de-Camp to the King.
Somewhat surprisingly, Sir Gwyn is a general, not an admiral. But he has an admirable fighting record—notably leading one of the world’s most elite special operations units.
The “First Sea Lord” Is a Commando
Sir Gwyn’s appointment comes after the Royal Navy relieved his predecessor, Admiral Sir Ben Key, of his duties and placed him under investigation over allegations of misconduct. This was an extraordinary development, as First Sea Lords typically serve for the duration of their appointment.
As the new leader of the Royal Navy, Sir Gwyn is responsible for modernizing the fleet and ensuring that it can stand shoulder to shoulder with its U.S. counterpart and closest ally. The Royal Navy is facing a fair share of challenges, including a pair of problematic new aircraft carriers, a shrinking surface fleet, and an issue-laden submarine force.
“It is an honour to be selected as the next First Sea Lord,” Sir Gwyn said in a press statement.
This is the first time a general—a rank normally reserved for ground forces—ascends to the position of First Sea Lord.
“Throughout my career, I have always been motivated by the vital role the Royal Navy has in keeping our nation safe. To do that now, we need to accelerate our return to a war-fighting force that is ready for conflict, expand our modernisation efforts, and deliver the Royal Navy our nation needs,” the new First Sea Lord added.
Sir Gwyn began his military career in the Royal Marines Commando, the Royal Navy’s amphibious special operations force. He went on to successfully pass selection and assessment for the elite Special Boat Service (SBS)—roughly the equivalent of the U.S. Navy’s Naval Special Warfare Development Group, informally known as SEAL Team Six. Sir Gwyn became the commander of the SBS and also served as Director Special Forces, the most senior special operations officer in the U.K. military, and the Commandant of the Royal Marines. While he was serving as Direct Special Forces, Sir Gwyn was accused of failing to report claims of extrajudicial killings by U.K. special operators in Afghanistan, but was later cleared of any wrongdoing.
The New Commander Is an Officer, Not a Civilian
The decision to appoint Sir Gwyn to lead the Royal Navy aligns with a wider trend favoring special operations officers and non-commissioned officers in senior military and policy positions.
Following the two decades of counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, in which special operations forces spearheaded the fighting, American and British defense policymakers appointed with increased regularity special operators to senior military posts. For example, the former U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, was a Green Beret. Also, U.S. Army General Bryan Fenton served as a deputy commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, the most important combatant command in the U.S. military right now, before he was promoted to the commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command. Mike Waltz, President Trump’s former National Security Advisor, was also a Green Beret, though he was more notable for his time serving in Congress as a representative from Florida.
Policymakers recognize the creative leadership that special operations officers bring to the table. Sir Gwyn will need to bring that leadership in his efforts to modernize one of the world’s most respected naval forces.
About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
Image: Shutterstock.
