Rich Cantrill | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Cantrill (then Brigadier) in 2021 | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Marines |
| Years of service | 1996–present |
| Rank | Major-General |
| Commands | 3 Commando Brigade (2020–) 42 Commando (2014–16) |
| Battles / wars | Sierra Leone Civil War War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Officer of the Order of the British Empire Military Cross |
Major-GeneralRichard John Cantrill,OBE, MC is a senior Royal Marines officer. In 2024 he becameCommander Operations, the first Royal Marine to hold the post.
Cantrill joined theCorps of Royal Marines in 1996. He was promoted tomajor in 2004 and, in 2008, deployed to Afghanistan as officer commanding L Company,42 Commando. He led the company during a three-day assault on Kasnishin, a Taliban stronghold, during the deployment, for which he was awarded theMilitary Cross.[1][2] Promoted tolieutenant colonel in 2010, he became Military Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Defence for Military Strategy and Operations, was appointed anOfficer of the Order of the British Empire in the2014 New Year Honours,[3] and was made commanding officer of 42 Commando. In 2016, Cantrill was promoted tocolonel and made the chief of staff for theCommander UK Amphibious Forces.[4]
Cantrill joined theMinistry of Defence as the Assistant Head for Counter-terrorism and UK Operations in 2018, and was appointed to command3 Commando Brigade on 2 September 2020.[4] In January 2024, it was announced that he would be the nextCommander Operations, the first Royal Marine to hold the post,[5] with the promotion tomajor general on 6 May 2024.[6]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Commander Operations 2024–present | Incumbent |
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