For the first time ever, a Royal Marine has been chosen to lead the Royal Navy—and while some traditionalists may be raising eyebrows, many believe it’s exactly what the service needs right now.

General Sir Gwyn Jenkins has been named the new First Sea Lord, taking over from Admiral Sir Ben Key, who was removed from his post while facing a misconduct investigation. It’s a shake-up during already turbulent times, but insiders say the move could be just what the Navy needs to reset and refocus.

Retired naval officer Commander Tom Sharpe thinks the decision is both smart and refreshing.

“This is big,” he said. “Sure, some old-school naval officers might be upset that it’s not one of their own in charge, but honestly—if he’s the best person for the job, who cares what color his uniform is?”

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Gen Sir Gwyn may not come from a traditional naval background, but his experience in land-based combat operations, especially in today’s tense global climate, is seen as a major asset. Commander Sharpe points out that what really matters now is not how well someone knows their way around a warship—but whether they can handle high-stakes leadership in times of crisis.

“He knows how to operate in Whitehall, and that’s vital,” Sharpe added. “His ability to navigate government, budgets, and policy is probably more important than knowing the ins and outs of a destroyer or submarine.”

This leadership change could also mark a turning point for the Royal Marines themselves. The Marines—long known for their fierce sea-to-shore capabilities—have seen some of that edge fade in recent years.

“They’ve lost a lot of their amphibious punch,” Sharpe said. “Gen Sir Gwyn could be the one to bring it back. He understands their needs and can fight for the ships and support they require.”

There’s no doubt it’s a challenging role. Leading a 30,000-strong force steeped in history sounds impressive, but Gen Sir Gwyn will be dealing with limited budgets, ever-changing missions, and the looming Strategic Defence Review—all while the world feels more unstable than ever.

Still, Sharpe says this appointment signals change, and change is overdue.

“Over the past decade, more and more Royal Marines have risen through the ranks to top-tier roles,” he explained. “It was only a matter of time before one of them landed a major command.”

Now, with fresh leadership at the helm, all eyes will be on how Gen Sir Gwyn steers the Navy through one of the most critical times in its recent history.