Andy Salmon
Encyclopedia
Major General
Andrew "Andy" Salmon CMG OBE (born 2 July 1959) was, until February 2010, the Commandant General Royal Marines
.
before attending Godalming College
to do his A-levels. He graduated from the University of Warwick
with a BA in Modern History in 1980, and later earned an MA in Defence Studies from King's College London
in 1993.
in 1977. In his early service years, he was involved in many operations; Belfast (1978), the Falklands
(1982), Crossmaglen (1983), South Armagh (1990), Northern Iraq
(1991) and Angola (1992). During this time he served with 40 Commando
, 42 Commando
and 45 Commando
.
From 1995 - 1997, Salmon served at HQ Commando Forces. He was Commanding Officer
of 42 Commando, attached to the Amphibious Ready Group
, during two operations in Sierra Leone in 2000. In 2003 he was posted to Iraq
as Director Plans, Coalition Military Assistance and Training Team, Baghdad.
On 26 June 2009, he assumed the appointment of Commandant General Royal Marines
, the professional head of the Royal Marines, during a ceremony held at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines
in Lympstone
, Devon
.
In December 2003, the then Colonel Salmon, was appointed an Officer of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
In December 2006, the then Brigadier Salmon, was awarded the Bronze Star by the United States:
In September 2009, Major General Salmon, was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George:
, and Vice President of Royal Navy Rugby
and Royal Navy Tennis
. Salmon is a Visiting Senior Fellow of the London School of Economics
.
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Andrew "Andy" Salmon CMG OBE (born 2 July 1959) was, until February 2010, the Commandant General Royal Marines
Commandant General Royal Marines
The Commandant General Royal Marines is the professional head of the Royal Marines. The title has existed since 1945...
.
Early life
Salmon was educated at the Royal Grammar School, GuildfordRoyal Grammar School, Guildford
The Royal Grammar School is a selective English independent day school for boys in Guildford, Surrey. The school dates its founding to the death of Robert Beckingham in 1509 who left provision in his will to 'make a free scole at the Towne of Guldford'; in 1512 a governing body was set up to form...
before attending Godalming College
Godalming College
Godalming College is a state sixth form college, situated in Godalming, four miles from Guildford, Surrey, England. The college is highly popular and has been consistently oversubscribed in recent years. It is the successor to Godalming Grammar School, a state grammar school...
to do his A-levels. He graduated from the University of Warwick
University of Warwick
The University of Warwick is a public research university located in Coventry, United Kingdom...
with a BA in Modern History in 1980, and later earned an MA in Defence Studies from King's College London
King's College London
King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...
in 1993.
Military career
Salmon joined the Royal MarinesRoyal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
in 1977. In his early service years, he was involved in many operations; Belfast (1978), the Falklands
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
(1982), Crossmaglen (1983), South Armagh (1990), Northern Iraq
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
(1991) and Angola (1992). During this time he served with 40 Commando
40 Commando
40 Commando RM is a battalion sized formation of the British Royal Marines and subordinate unit within 3 Commando Brigade, the principal Commando formation, under the Operational Command of Commander in Chief Fleet....
, 42 Commando
42 Commando
42 Commando Royal Marines is a battalion sized formation of the British Royal Marines and a subordinate unit within 3 Commando Brigade, the principal Commando formation, under the Operational Command of Commander in Chief Fleet....
and 45 Commando
45 Commando
45 Commando Royal Marines is a battalion sized unit of the British Royal Marines and subordinate unit within 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, the principal Commando formation, under the Operational Command of Commander in Chief Fleet....
.
From 1995 - 1997, Salmon served at HQ Commando Forces. He was Commanding Officer
Commanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
of 42 Commando, attached to the Amphibious Ready Group
Amphibious Ready Group
An Amphibious Readiness Group of the United States Navy consists of a Navy element—a group of warships known as an amphibious task force —and a landing force of United States Marines , in total about 5,000 people. Together, these elements and supporting units are trained, organized, and equipped...
, during two operations in Sierra Leone in 2000. In 2003 he was posted to Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
as Director Plans, Coalition Military Assistance and Training Team, Baghdad.
On 26 June 2009, he assumed the appointment of Commandant General Royal Marines
Commandant General Royal Marines
The Commandant General Royal Marines is the professional head of the Royal Marines. The title has existed since 1945...
, the professional head of the Royal Marines, during a ceremony held at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines
Commando Training Centre Royal Marines
Commando Training Centre Royal Marines is the principal military training centre for the Royal Marines of the British Armed Forces. It is situated near the village of Lympstone, between the city of Exeter, and the town of Exmouth in Devon...
in Lympstone
Lympstone
Lympstone is a village and civil parish in East Devon in the English county of Devon. It has a population of 1,754. There is a harbour on the estuary of the River Exe, lying at the outlet of Wotton Brook between cliffs of red breccia...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
.
Awards and decorations
In April 2001, the then Lieutenant Colonel and acting Colonel Salmon, received the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service:
in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during operations in Sierra Leone from 6th May to 30th September 2000
In December 2003, the then Colonel Salmon, was appointed an Officer of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
In December 2006, the then Brigadier Salmon, was awarded the Bronze Star by the United States:
in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during coalition operations in Iraq
In September 2009, Major General Salmon, was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George:
in recognition of
gallant and distinguished service in Iraq during the period 1st October 2008 to 31st March 2009
Personal life
He is President of Royal Navy and Royal Marine TriathlonTriathlon
A triathlon is a multi-sport event involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance events. While many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances...
, and Vice President of Royal Navy Rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
and Royal Navy Tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
. Salmon is a Visiting Senior Fellow of the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
.