General Jenkins becoming First Sea Lord: Who cares what colour his uniform is?
The appointment of Royal Marines General Sir Gwyn Jenkins as the head of the Royal Navy has been welcomed by a former naval officer who believes he's the right person for the job.
Gen Sir Gwyn replaces Admiral Sir Ben Key in the role, who was removed from his duties as he is under investigation over allegations of misconduct.
"I think it's good news," retired Commander Tom Sharpe said of Gen Sir Gwyn's appointment.
"This is contentious [a Royal Marine being chosen for the position] and there will be lots of traditional naval officers who will be disappointed by that element of it [but] I think it's a good thing.
"Given the turmoil over the last few days, I think it was important that they got the new leader in, put the unfortunate business behind and got on with the day-to-day running of the Navy.
"It's innovative, it sort of breaks down glass ceilings and if he's the right man for the job - which I think he is - then who cares what colour his uniform is?"
But what about the questions which some have raised about how well Gen Sir Gwyn might understand naval operations?
"The idea that he doesn't somehow understand ships... that might be true, but that doesn't matter," explained Cdr Sharpe.
"He does understand combat operations in land, which… given what's going on in Ukraine is important. So he'll bring something very different there."
Cdr Sharpe also believes Gen Sir Gwyn is a smooth operator in Whitehall.
"He's clearly very good in that environment, which is probably more important than his day-to-day understanding of… destroyer or submarine operations," he added.
"His credibility will come down to how he performs this very, very difficult job at an extremely difficult time."
How might this appointment boost the Royal Marines?
"The Marines... I think they need a bit of help," said Cdr Sharpe.
"They have almost totally lost their ability to go from sea to shore, which is what they're for.
"They're very clever at reinventing themselves and finding roles and they need all of that now. They need him to drive the replacement amphibious ships programme, which is very uncertain and yet really key.
"So I think it's very helpful for them. He will be there at the front and centre protecting that essential part of the Navy's fighting capability for the next three or four years, which I think is good news."
How significant is this appointment?
Historically Royal Marines have never succeeded in securing the top jobs in the Armed Forces.
"In the last 10 years... there have been more three and four star Royal Marines, because the talent shines through and the system finds jobs for them," said Cdr Sharpe.
"I think it was probably only a matter of time for one of them to be in line for one of the Heads of Service."
But this is not an easy job to take on in the current climate.
"He's leading this 30,000 strong, very prestigious, very historic organisation, but doesn't necessarily control the tasks he's been asked to do, or the money he's been given to do it," Cdr Sharpe added.
"I think resolving that going forward, particularly with all the gloomy predictions and general increase in unrest... that's going to be the hardest job for him to do.
"And what a time to start... as we're waiting for the Strategic Defence Review to come out."
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