HMS Trumpeter

Military experience

Lieutenant Tom Jenkins was born in Bath in 1982 and educated at Highcliffe Comprehensive School before joining the Royal Navy as a naval college entrant in September 2001.

After initial training at Britannia Royal Naval College and at sea in HMS Sheffield, he was appointed to HMS York for fleet time training. After completing the Junior Warfare Officer’s course at MWS Collingwood he commenced his first complement appointment as Signal Communications Officer in HMS Lancaster in 2003. After assisting HMS Marlborough through Operational Sea Training, Lieutenant Jenkins returned to HMS Lancaster in 2005 to conduct a South Atlantic Patrol.

On completion of the Frigate Navigators Course in September 2005 he was appointed as the Navigating Officer in USS Winston S. Churchill that same month. During this appointment he completed a deployment to the Middle East as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In addition, Lieutenant Jenkins played a vital role in the liberation of 16 Indian crew members being held captive by Somali pirates onboard ‘MV Safina Al Bisarat’ in the Indian Ocean. This appointment also included unit level training assessments and maritime interdiction operations in the Caribbean. Before departing the Winston S. Churchill in September 2007 Lieutenant Jenkins was awarded the US Naval Commendation Medal for services to the United States Navy.

On return to the UK in 2007 he enjoyed an appointment as IWOF module manager and Divisional Officer at Britannia Royal Naval College. Lieutenant Jenkins' most recent appointment was Flag Lieutenant to Commander UK Maritime Force and simultaneously to Commander EU Naval Force based predominantly overseas; a rewarding year assisting with the development of the European Union's first maritime European Security & Defence Policy Operation, Atalanta.

Tom lives with his wife, dividing his time between Lymington and London. His interests include competitive sailing, foreign travel and the occasional renovation challenge.