Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Magowan resumes Marines chief role
ONE of Britain’s most senior military figures yesterday resumed his command of the Royal Marines.
At a ceremony in Devon, Lieutenant General Robert Magowan became Commandant General Royal Marines for the second time.
The post is the most senior in the Corps and comes at a time when the Royal Marines face a changing role within the Armed Forces.
The Future Commando Force – which includes Taunton-based 40 Commando – will see the Royal Marines take on more of a special forces role in the years ahead.
Lt Gen Magowan took over from Major General Matt Holmes – who has been in post for the past two years – at a supersession ceremony at the Commando Training Centre at Lympstone.
“For centuries the Royal Marines have gone about their business, doing the hard yards with an understated courage and pride,” Lt Gen Magowan said. “To be amongst them, a part of them, encouraging them to go a bit further, climb a bit higher, is a tremendous personal honour for me, and it always will be.
“As I take over as Commandant General, the Royal Marines are once again adapting and responding to new adversarial threats and wider challenges. The Future Commando Force is an exciting and wholly appropriate manifestation of that adaptability. It signals a future based on persistent presence, dispersal, and an even closer maritime integration.
“I am proud to tell people that I have been the head of our Corps, always said with a quiet humility, and so I will be again.”
The ceremony at Lympstone – where recruits face one of the toughest training regimes in the world before getting their coveted green beret – was attended by First Sea Lord, Admiral Tony Radakin.
Maj Gen Holmes said: “These are exciting times for the corps. Our Commando Force, suitably equipped and persistently forward deployed, offers an enticing future for all Royal Marines.
“I’d certainly join to do it all over again and much of that is because of the quality of people we attract then train rigorously.
“It’s been an enormous privilege to serve you all and our wonderful, wider Corps family as an immensely proud Commandant General Royal Marines. Thank you.”
Admiral Tony Radakin said: “I congratulate General Matt Holmes for his sterling leadership of the Corps over the last two years, and wish General Rob Magowan every success as he assumes the mantle of CGRM.”
Lt Gen Magowan joined the Royal Marines in 1989 after reading chemistry at Southampton University.
He has served in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and was second in command of 42 Commando during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
The 53-year-old has worked in the Cabinet Office, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence, with a particular focus on intelligence.
Lt Gen Magowan became Commandant General Royal Marines, for the first time, and Commander United Kingdom Amphibious Forces in 2016. He has been Deputy Commander UK Strategic Command since January 2020.