New Commandant at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines

After two years as Commandant of the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines at Lympstone Colonel Kev Oliver hands over the role of Commandant to Colonel Mike Tanner.

Colonel Tanner will be responsible for all aspects of Royal Marines recruit and young officer training as well as Commando training for Navy, RAF and Army personnel. 

Additionally, he will oversee 300 specialist and promotion courses that are delivered at the training centre each year.

Col Tanner a former England U21 capped professional rugby player joined the Royal Marines as a young officer in 1992 and completed his training at the Lympstone site that he now commands. 

During his career he has served with and commanded Royal Marines all over the globe. 

In 2003 he deployed to Iraq with the US Marine Corps and was awarded the American Bronze Star with Combat Valour.

He returned to Iraq in 2005 and received the Queens Commendation for Valuable Service after operating in this highly contested and hostile operational theatre.

Looking forward to his new role he said: “I am hugely proud to come back to the Commando Training Centre 25 years after I started my own training here, also I’m looking forward to promoting the Commando role with UK defence as well as working with our local community.”

The 47 year old married dad of 3 is no stranger to such high level command as he has previously been the Commanding Officer of Scotland based 45 Commando Royal Marines and before arriving at Lympstone he held the appointment of Captain Portsmouth Naval Base.