Veterans Minister Al Carns 'enormously proud' to receive Distinguished Service Order
Defence minister and Royal Marines reservist Colonel Al Carns has spoken of his pride after being awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in the New Year and Operational Honours list.
The award adds to Mr Carns' impressive CV - he is already a member of the Order of the British Empire and was awarded the Military Cross for his actions in Afghanistan.
Mr Carns, who left the Royal Marines as a full-time member at the end of May to stand in July's general election, said he was "enormously grateful and proud" to receive the DSO which is a gallantry award given for highly successful command and leadership during active operations.
He described the award as "a high watermark" and paid tribute to those who he has commanded.
"It is humbling for me personally, but also for the recognition of the incredible teams that I have commanded and worked with to achieve extraordinary and courageous things for our nation," Mr Carns said in a post on X.
"This award recognises them. Surround yourself with the best people, prioritise, provide boundaries, then delegate, and you will see magic happen.
"On my behalf and theirs, thank you for this honour."
The New Year and Operational Honours List marks the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK.
MP Tom Tugendhat, a reserve officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and most notably recently ran for the Conservative Party leadership, was quick to congratulate Mr Carns on X.
"Congratulations to my friend Alistair Carns – once and always a Royal Marine and now minister for MOD. A Distinguished Service Order is a very special honour and recognises a lifetime of service to our country," he said.
Former defence minister James Heappey extended his congratulations to Mr Carns.
"Hugely well deserved for a pivotal contribution to military operations over recent years," he said.
Jonny Ball, a former full-time soldier and host of the Veterans in Politics podcast, also heaped praise on Mr Carns, even questioning if he would become the most decorated MP in living memory.
"Congrats Alistair Carns on his award of the DSO in the NY Honours list, adding to his OBE and Military Cross," said the reservist.
"Al must be the most decorated MP in living memory. We have two MC holders in Parliament (Carns/Jopp), and Bob Stewart held a DSO in the last.
"Extraordinary! #StandUpServeAgain."
Rise to colonel
Having joined the military at 19, Mr Carns worked his way up to the rank of colonel.
He led four tours in Afghanistan, for which he was awarded the Military Cross in 2011 "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1 October 2010 to 31 March 2011".
From 2017, the father-of-three served as an adviser to three UK defence secretaries, later serving as chief of staff to the Commander UK Strike Force, where he was responsible for coordinating aircraft carriers and Commando forces.
In the 2022 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for exceptional operational service.
Mr Carns became Minister for Veterans and People at the MOD on 9 July 2024 after being elected as the Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak earlier that month.
Despite leaving the Marines to stand for election, Mr Carns later re-enlisted as a reservist.
In a speech at the Royal United Services Institute in December, he spoke about the importance of reserves in defence.
Dozens of military personnel were named in in the New Year and Operational Honours List, including a member of HMS Diamond's crew who has been mentioned in despatches after shooting down a Houthi drone with a 30mm cannon.
The full list of military personnel recognised in the New Year Honours List can be found here.
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
