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{{Short description|Royal Marines general}}
{{Short description|Royal Marines general}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
| name = Gwyn Jenkins
| name = Gwyn Jenkins
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| laterwork =
| laterwork =
}}
}}
[[General (United Kingdom)|General]] '''Gwyn Jenkins''', {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|CB|OBE|ADC}} is a senior [[Royal Marines]] officer, serving as [[Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff]] since August 2022. He was concurrently appointed [[Commandant General Royal Marines]] in November 2022.
[[General (United Kingdom)|General]] '''Gwyn Jenkins''', {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|CB|OBE}} is a senior [[Royal Marines]] officer, who served as [[Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff]] from August 2022 to June 2024. He was concurrently appointed [[Commandant General Royal Marines]] in November 2022.


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Jenkins was educated at [[Malmesbury School]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/news/17670447.students-inspired-by-visit-of-major-general-jenkins/|title=Students inspired by visit of Major General Jenkins|website=Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard|language=en|access-date=2019-06-12}}</ref> He graduated from the [[Royal_Military_College_of_Science#Shrivenham|Military College Shrivenham]] in 2004, where he completed a master's degree in Defence Studies.<ref name=bio>{{cite web |title=General Gwyn Jenkins CB OBE ADC |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/gwyn-jenkins |website=HM Government |access-date=16 November 2023}}</ref>
Jenkins was educated at [[Malmesbury School]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/news/17670447.students-inspired-by-visit-of-major-general-jenkins/|title=Students inspired by visit of Major General Jenkins|website=Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard|date=29 May 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-06-12}}</ref> He graduated from the [[Royal_Military_College_of_Science#Shrivenham|Military College Shrivenham]] in 2004, where he completed a master's degree in Defence Studies.<ref name=bio>{{cite web |title=General Gwyn Jenkins CB OBE |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/gwyn-jenkins |website=HM Government |access-date=16 November 2023}}</ref>


==Military career==
==Military career==
Jenkins was commissioned into the Royal Marines in 1990. He spent time as a [[junior officer]] in the [[Commando Logistics Regiment]] and on [[Operation Banner|operations in Northern Ireland]] with [[42 Commando]].<ref name=bio/> He became [[commanding officer]] of the [[Special Boat Service]] (SBS) in 2009.<ref name="FN new vice">{{cite web |last1=Romaniello |first1=Federica |title=New Vice Chief of the Defence Staff appointed |url=https://www.forces.net/news/major-general-gwyn-jenkins-appointed-new-vice-chief-defence-staff |website=Forces Network |access-date=10 September 2023 |language=en |date=27 July 2022}}</ref>
Jenkins was commissioned into the Royal Marines in 1990. He spent time as a [[junior officer]] in the [[Commando Logistics Regiment]] and on [[Operation Banner|operations in Northern Ireland]] with [[42 Commando]].<ref name=bio/> He became [[commanding officer]] of the [[Special Boat Service]] (SBS) in 2009.<ref name="FN new vice">{{cite web |last1=Romaniello |first1=Federica |title=New Vice Chief of the Defence Staff appointed |url=https://www.forces.net/news/major-general-gwyn-jenkins-appointed-new-vice-chief-defence-staff |website=Forces Network |access-date=10 September 2023 |language=en |date=27 July 2022}}</ref>


In 2011 Jenkins received a written report, known only to a few senior officers, stating that members of the [[Special Air Service]] operating in Afghanistan had intentionally killed handcuffed Afgans whom they had detained. He was legally required to pass the report to the Royal Military Police as it was an allegation that British forces had committed war crimes. However, he did not, and placed it in a classified dossier locked in a safe in April 2011.<ref name=ogrady>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67418001|title=Top general locked away evidence of SAS executions|last1 = O'Grady | first1 = Hannah| last2 = Gunter | first2 = Joel|date=16 November 2023|publisher=BBC (Panorama)}}</ref> He was promoted from acting to full [[Colonel (United Kingdom)|colonel]] on 1 July 2011.<ref name="LG 598602">{{London Gazette
In 2011 Jenkins received a written report stating that members of the Army’s [[Special Air Service]] (soldiers not under his command) operating in Afghanistan had conducted extrajudicial killings. He referred the matter to his superior officer, the [[Director Special Forces]], recommending a thorough investigation: in response SAS tactics were subject to a rare review. The BBC has subsequently claimed that Jenkins was in fact legally obliged to pass his report to the [[Royal Military Police]] as it was an allegation that British forces had committed war crimes. However, he did not, but placed it in a classified dossier in April 2011.<ref name=ogrady>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67418001|title=Top general locked away evidence of SAS executions|last1 = O'Grady | first1 = Hannah| last2 = Gunter | first2 = Joel|date=16 November 2023|publisher=BBC (Panorama)}}</ref> He was promoted from acting to full [[Colonel (United Kingdom)|colonel]] on 1 July 2011.<ref name="LG 598602">{{London Gazette
| issue = 59860
| issue = 59860
| date = 26 July 2011
| date = 26 July 2011
| page = 14180
| page = 14180
| supp = y
| supp = y
⚫
}}</ref> In October of that year Jenkins deployed to Afghanistan as the commander of all British Special Forces in the country.<ref name=ogrady/> He was appointed [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1 October 2011 to 31 March 2012".<ref name="LG 60283">{{London Gazette |issue= 60283 |date= 28 September 2012 |page= 18623 |supp= y }}</ref>
}}</ref>


⚫
In 2012, he was appointed [[military assistant]] to the [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|prime minister of the United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/images/Reunion-2014/SamLipfriend-DowningStreetLetter.pdf|title=Letter to Mr Don Kentish|publisher=550 Squadron Association|date=23 May 2014|accessdate=9 March 2019}}</ref> On 1 July 2015, he was promoted from acting to full [[Brigadier (United Kingdom)|brigadier]].<ref name="LG 61339">{{London Gazette |issue= 61339 |date= 1 September 2015 |page= 16198 |supp= y }}</ref> He went on to become [[National Security Council (United Kingdom)#National Security Secretariat|Deputy National Security Adviser]] for Conflict, Stability and Defence in 2016,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/529110/co_staff_and_salary_senior_data_march2016.csv/preview|title=Cabinet Office staff and salary data: senior posts as at 31 March 2016 – GOV.UK|website=www.gov.uk|access-date=2016-10-07}}</ref> commander [[3 Commando Brigade]] in 2017,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Senior%20Royal%20Navy%20Appointments%201865-.pdf|title=Senior Royal Navy Appointments (since 1865)}} Updated as required.</ref> and [[Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (United Kingdom)|Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy)]] in 2019.<ref name=bio/> Jenkins was appointed a [[Companion of the Order of the Bath]] in the [[2021 New Year Honours]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=63218|supp=y|page=N2|date=31 December 2020}}</ref>
⚫
In October of that year Jenkins deployed to Afghanistan as the commander of all British Special Forces in the country.<ref name=ogrady/> He was appointed [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1 October 2011 to 31 March 2012".<ref name="LG 60283">{{London Gazette |issue= 60283 |date= 28 September 2012 |page= 18623 |supp= y }}</ref>

⚫
In 2012, he was appointed [[military assistant]] to the [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/images/Reunion-2014/SamLipfriend-DowningStreetLetter.pdf|title=Letter to Mr Don Kentish|publisher=550 Squadron Association|date=23 May 2014|accessdate=9 March 2019}}</ref> On 1 July 2015, he was promoted from acting to full [[Brigadier (United Kingdom)|brigadier]].<ref name="LG 61339">{{London Gazette |issue= 61339 |date= 1 September 2015 |page= 16198 |supp= y }}</ref> He went on to become [[National Security Council (United Kingdom)#National Security Secretariat|Deputy National Security Adviser]] for Conflict, Stability and Defence in 2016,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/529110/co_staff_and_salary_senior_data_march2016.csv/preview|title=Cabinet Office staff and salary data: senior posts as at 31 March 2016 – GOV.UK|website=www.gov.uk|access-date=2016-10-07}}</ref> commander [[3 Commando Brigade]] in 2017,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Senior%20Royal%20Navy%20Appointments%201865-.pdf|title=Senior Royal Navy Appointments (since 1865)}} Updated as required.</ref> and [[Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff|Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy)]] in 2019.<ref name=bio/> Jenkins was appointed a [[Companion of the Order of the Bath]] in the [[2021 New Year Honours]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=63218|supp=y|page=N2|date=31 December 2020}}</ref>


===As a general===
===As a general===
[[File:General Gwyn Jenkins inspecting.jpg|thumb|right|General Jenkins inspecting his first parade as Commandant General Royal Marines in November 2022]]
[[File:General Gwyn Jenkins inspecting.jpg|thumb|right|General Jenkins inspecting his first parade as Commandant General Royal Marines in November 2022]]
Jenkins was promoted to [[General (United Kingdom)|general]] on 30 August 2022, skipping the rank of [[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|lieutenant general]],<ref name="LG 63818">{{London Gazette |issue=63818 |date=20 September 2022 |page=17754 |supp= y}}</ref> and took up the post of [[Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-general-gwyn-jenkins-appointed-new-vice-chief-of-the-defence-staff|title=Major General Gwyn Jenkins appointed new Vice Chief of the Defence Staff|publisher=Ministry of Defence|date=27 July 2022|accessdate=27 July 2022}}</ref> He is the first [[List of Royal Marines full generals|four-star Royal Marine general]] since 2016, after [[Gordon Messenger|Sir Gordon Messenger]], and the second since 1977. At the same time he was made an [[Aide-de-Camp]] (ADC) to the Queen.<ref name="LG 63818" /> Jenkins also became [[Commandant General Royal Marines]] on 25 November, succeeding Lieutenant General [[Robert Magowan]]. Jenkins became the first full general to serve as Commandant General since the 1970s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forces.net/services/royal-marines/major-general-gwyn-jenkins-named-new-commandant-general|title=Royal Marines appoint new Commandant General|date=25 November 2022|publisher=forces.net|access-date=27 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette |issue=63889 |date=29 November 2022 |page=22839 |supp= y}}</ref>
Jenkins was promoted to [[General (United Kingdom)|general]] on 30 August 2022, skipping the rank of [[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|lieutenant general]],<ref name="LG 63818">{{London Gazette |issue=63818 |date=20 September 2022 |page=17754 |supp= y}}</ref> and took up the post of [[Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-general-gwyn-jenkins-appointed-new-vice-chief-of-the-defence-staff|title=Major General Gwyn Jenkins appointed new Vice Chief of the Defence Staff|publisher=Ministry of Defence|date=27 July 2022|accessdate=27 July 2022}}</ref> He is the first [[List of Royal Marines full generals|four-star Royal Marine general]] since 2016, after [[Gordon Messenger|Sir Gordon Messenger]], and the second since 1977. At the same time he was made an [[Aide-de-Camp]] (ADC) to the Queen.<ref name="LG 63818" /> Jenkins also became [[Commandant General Royal Marines]] on 25 November, succeeding Lieutenant General [[Robert Magowan]]. Jenkins became the first full general to serve as Commandant General since the 1970s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forces.net/services/royal-marines/major-general-gwyn-jenkins-named-new-commandant-general|title=Royal Marines appoint new Commandant General|date=25 November 2022|publisher=forces.net|access-date=27 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette |issue=63889 |date=29 November 2022 |page=22839 |supp= y}}</ref>

On 23 April 2024 [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Rishi Sunak]] announced that Jenkins would become the United Kingdom's next [[National Security Adviser (United Kingdom)|National Security Advisor]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/britain-names-gwyn-jenkins-national-120614353.html|title=Britain names Gwyn Jenkins as national security adviser |last1=Ravikumar |first1=Sachin |date=23 April 2024 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref> However, on 26 August 2024 ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that the appointment had been cancelled by the new prime minister, [[Keir Starmer]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/aug/26/starmer-cancels-appointmen-gwyn-jenkins-new-national-security-adviser |first=Kiran |last=Stacey|title=Starmer cancels appointment of Gwyn Jenkins as national security adviser |date=26 August 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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{{s-mil}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Nick Hine]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Nick Hine]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff|Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy)]]|years=2019–2020}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (United Kingdom)|Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy)]]|years=2019–2020}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Iain Lower]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Iain Lower]]}}
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Tim Fraser|Sir Tim Fraser]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Tim Fraser|Sir Tim Fraser]]}}
{{s-ttl|title={{nowrap|[[Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff]]}}|years=2022–present}}
{{s-ttl|title={{nowrap|[[Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff]]}}|years=2022–2024}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Sharon Nesmith|Dame Sharon Nesmith]]}}
⚫
{{s-inc|rows=2}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Robert Magowan]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Robert Magowan]]}}
{{s-ttl|title={{nowrap|[[Commandant General Royal Marines]]}}|years=2022–present}}
{{s-ttl|title={{nowrap|[[Commandant General Royal Marines]]}}|years=2022–present}}
⚫
{{s-inc}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}


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[[Category:Royal Navy personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]
[[Category:Royal Navy personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:British military personnel of The Troubles (Northern Ireland)]]

Latest revision as of 21:07, 9 September 2024

Gwyn Jenkins
Jenkins in 2022
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchRoyal Marines
RankGeneral
CommandsCommandant General Royal Marines
Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
3 Commando Brigade
Special Boat Service
Battles / warsThe Troubles
International Force East Timor
War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
AwardsCompanion of the Order of the Bath
Officer of the Order of the British Empire

General Gwyn Jenkins, CB, OBE is a senior Royal Marines officer, who served as Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff from August 2022 to June 2024. He was concurrently appointed Commandant General Royal Marines in November 2022.

Early life and education

[edit]

Jenkins was educated at Malmesbury School.[1] He graduated from the Military College Shrivenham in 2004, where he completed a master's degree in Defence Studies.[2]

Military career

[edit]

Jenkins was commissioned into the Royal Marines in 1990. He spent time as a junior officer in the Commando Logistics Regiment and on operations in Northern Ireland with 42 Commando.[2] He became commanding officer of the Special Boat Service (SBS) in 2009.[3]

In 2011 Jenkins received a written report stating that members of the Army’s Special Air Service (soldiers not under his command) operating in Afghanistan had conducted extrajudicial killings. He referred the matter to his superior officer, the Director Special Forces, recommending a thorough investigation: in response SAS tactics were subject to a rare review. The BBC has subsequently claimed that Jenkins was in fact legally obliged to pass his report to the Royal Military Police as it was an allegation that British forces had committed war crimes. However, he did not, but placed it in a classified dossier in April 2011.[4] He was promoted from acting to full colonel on 1 July 2011.[5] In October of that year Jenkins deployed to Afghanistan as the commander of all British Special Forces in the country.[4] He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1 October 2011 to 31 March 2012".[6]

In 2012, he was appointed military assistant to the prime minister of the United Kingdom.[7] On 1 July 2015, he was promoted from acting to full brigadier.[8] He went on to become Deputy National Security Adviser for Conflict, Stability and Defence in 2016,[9] commander 3 Commando Brigade in 2017,[10] and Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy) in 2019.[2] Jenkins was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 2021 New Year Honours.[11]

As a general

[edit]
General Jenkins inspecting his first parade as Commandant General Royal Marines in November 2022

Jenkins was promoted to general on 30 August 2022, skipping the rank of lieutenant general,[12] and took up the post of Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff.[13] He is the first four-star Royal Marine general since 2016, after Sir Gordon Messenger, and the second since 1977. At the same time he was made an Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the Queen.[12] Jenkins also became Commandant General Royal Marines on 25 November, succeeding Lieutenant General Robert Magowan. Jenkins became the first full general to serve as Commandant General since the 1970s.[14][15]

On 23 April 2024 Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that Jenkins would become the United Kingdom's next National Security Advisor.[16] However, on 26 August 2024 The Guardian reported that the appointment had been cancelled by the new prime minister, Keir Starmer.[17]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Students inspired by visit of Major General Jenkins". Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "General Gwyn Jenkins CB OBE". HM Government. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  3. ^ Romaniello, Federica (27 July 2022). "New Vice Chief of the Defence Staff appointed". Forces Network. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  4. ^ a b O'Grady, Hannah; Gunter, Joel (16 November 2023). "Top general locked away evidence of SAS executions". BBC (Panorama).
  5. ^ "No. 59860". The London Gazette (Supplement). 26 July 2011. p. 14180.
  6. ^ "No. 60283". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 September 2012. p. 18623.
  7. ^ "Letter to Mr Don Kentish" (PDF). 550 Squadron Association. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  8. ^ "No. 61339". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 September 2015. p. 16198.
  9. ^ "Cabinet Office staff and salary data: senior posts as at 31 March 2016 – GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  10. ^ "Senior Royal Navy Appointments (since 1865)" (PDF). Updated as required.
  11. ^ "No. 63218". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2020. p. N2.
  12. ^ a b "No. 63818". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 September 2022. p. 17754.
  13. ^ "Major General Gwyn Jenkins appointed new Vice Chief of the Defence Staff". Ministry of Defence. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  14. ^ "Royal Marines appoint new Commandant General". forces.net. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  15. ^ "No. 63889". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 November 2022. p. 22839.
  16. ^ Ravikumar, Sachin (23 April 2024). "Britain names Gwyn Jenkins as national security adviser". Reuters.
  17. ^ Stacey, Kiran (26 August 2024). "Starmer cancels appointment of Gwyn Jenkins as national security adviser". The Guardian.
Military offices
Preceded by Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy)
2019–2020 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
2022–2024 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commandant General Royal Marines
2022–present 		Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Gwyn_Jenkins&oldid=1244901233"