The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has appointed Royal Marines General Gwyn Jenkins to replace Sir Tim Barrow as the National Security Advisor, he will be the first serving British Armed Forces member to fill the role, traditionally dominated by career diplomats. Barrow has reportedly been selected to be the new ambassador to the United States, arguably the UK’s top diplomatic spot with its closest ally.
Jenkin’s Illustrious Military Career
General Jenkins has been serving as the Vice Chief of the Defense Staff since August 2022 and is concurrently serving as the Commandant General of the Royal Marines since November 2022. Jenkins was commissioned as an officer in the Royal Marines in 1990, he served in the Commando Logistics Regiment and on operations in Northern Ireland with 42 Commando. He became the commanding officer of the Special Boat Service (SBS) in 2009.
He garnered partisan praise and criticism in 2011 when he authored a report accusing British soldiers of extrajudicial killings in Afghanistan. After the report was buried he was promoted to be the commander of all British Special Forces in Afghanistan.
In 2012 he was appointed military assistant to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the assignment he earned his full Brigadier promotion. Afterwards he was appointed Deputy National Security Adviser for Conflict, Stability, and Defence in 2016, Commander 3 Commando Brigade in 2017, and Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy) in 2019. He earned his general rank in August 2022, skipping the lieutenant general rank and becoming the Vice Chief of the Defense Staff, he is only the third-ever full general of the Royal Marines.
National Security Adviser Duties
As the 7th National Security Adviser, he will serve as the principal adviser to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Cabinet of the United Kingdom on all national security issues. He will also advise Secretaries of State and other senior government ministers on issues of national security when necessary. Sir Barrow has held the post since September 2022
