Chris Parry (Royal Navy officer)
Encyclopedia
Rear Admiral
Christopher J. Parry CBE
is a British
former naval officer who was the first Chair of the UK Government's Marine Management Organisation
until 2011.
, Portsmouth Grammar School and Jesus College, Oxford
, where he read Modern History.
as a Seaman Officer in 1972 and then became an Observer in the Fleet Air Arm
in 1979. He was mentioned in despatches during the Falklands War
for the rescue of 16 SAS
men from Fortuna Glacier
, South Georgia, and for his role in detecting and disabling the Argentinian submarine ARA Santa Fe. He later commanded HMS Gloucester
, HMS Fearless
and the United Kingdom's Amphibious Task Group. At sea, he was known for his use of unconventional tactics, original thinking and innovative methods, as well as his trademark motto 'old dog, new tricks' and the high standard of training of his ship's companies. His motivation was "to give my ship and her ship's company the best chance of success and survival".
On promotion to Rear Admiral, he became, in 2005, the Ministry of Defence
's Director General of Development, Concepts and Doctrine, where he was responsible for the doctrinal and conceptual development of the UK Armed Forces to 2025. In this role, he sought to introduce new conceptual approaches, especially in relation to the strategy and tactics needed in the campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, especially with his inter-Agency and inter-Departmental approach which he then transformed into the 'Comprehensive Approach', and Countering Irregular Activity; these were eventually adopted as part of the 'Petraeus Plan' for Iraq. In 2006, he gave a lecture at the Royal United Services Institute
about the dangers to international security of climate change, migration and global inequality, together with the possibility of the re-emergence of other states as strategic competitors. He was also the author of the DCDC Global Strategic Trends Programme 2007-36, which, among other assessments that were subsequently confirmed by events, foresaw the collapse of the world's financial system, the re-emergence of piracy at sea and the Russian intervention in Georgia.
Today, he is one of the UK's leading experts on strategic forecasting and geo-strategic trend-spotting and a noted thinker on all aspects of the current and future maritime and marine environment.
. In June 2008, he spoke about the divide between the independent and state sectors of education and the injustice and continuing inadequacies of state provision. Wishing to concentrate more on his strategic, academic and military activities and studies, he left that post soon afterwards.
On 12 June 2010, in an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he described the planning for the UK's 2006 deployment of 3,300 troops to Helmand Province
in Afghanistan as flawed, relying too much on lessons from Borneo, Malaya
and Northern Ireland
. The subsequent BBC News article quotes him as saying that senior planners had strongly resisted "ditching the lessons from the past", preferring these to the "radical and progressive ideas" which were needed.
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
Christopher J. Parry CBE
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
is a British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
former naval officer who was the first Chair of the UK Government's Marine Management Organisation
Marine Management Organisation
The Marine Management Organisation is an executive non-departmental public body established and given powers under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009...
until 2011.
Education
Parry was educated at Royal Naval School Tal-HandaqRoyal Naval School Tal-Handaq
The Royal Naval School Tal Handaq was a school for children of personnel of the British Armed Forces posted to Malta between January 1947 and July 1978...
, Portsmouth Grammar School and Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College is one of the colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is in the centre of the city, on a site between Turl Street, Ship Street, Cornmarket Street and Market Street...
, where he read Modern History.
Naval career
He joined the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
as a Seaman Officer in 1972 and then became an Observer in the Fleet Air Arm
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
in 1979. He was mentioned in despatches during the Falklands War
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...
for the rescue of 16 SAS
Special Air Service
Special Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
men from Fortuna Glacier
Fortuna Glacier
Fortuna Glacier is a tidewater glacier at the mouth of Cumberland Bay on the island of South Georgia. It flows in a northeast direction to its terminus just west of Cape Best, with an eastern distributary almost reaching the west side of Fortuna Bay, on the north coast of South Georgia. Named in...
, South Georgia, and for his role in detecting and disabling the Argentinian submarine ARA Santa Fe. He later commanded HMS Gloucester
HMS Gloucester (D96)
HMS Gloucester was a Batch 3 Type 42 destroyer of the Royal Navy. The ship was built by Vosper Thorneycroft at Woolston, Southampton and launched on 2 November 1982 by The Duchess of Gloucester. HMS Gloucester was one of the modified last four of the class to be built, having a lengthened hull...
, HMS Fearless
HMS Fearless (L10)
HMS Fearless was a Royal Navy ship which served from 1965 until 2002. One of two from the Landing Platform Dock class she was based in HMNB Portsmouth and saw service around the world over her 37 year life...
and the United Kingdom's Amphibious Task Group. At sea, he was known for his use of unconventional tactics, original thinking and innovative methods, as well as his trademark motto 'old dog, new tricks' and the high standard of training of his ship's companies. His motivation was "to give my ship and her ship's company the best chance of success and survival".
On promotion to Rear Admiral, he became, in 2005, the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
's Director General of Development, Concepts and Doctrine, where he was responsible for the doctrinal and conceptual development of the UK Armed Forces to 2025. In this role, he sought to introduce new conceptual approaches, especially in relation to the strategy and tactics needed in the campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, especially with his inter-Agency and inter-Departmental approach which he then transformed into the 'Comprehensive Approach', and Countering Irregular Activity; these were eventually adopted as part of the 'Petraeus Plan' for Iraq. In 2006, he gave a lecture at the Royal United Services Institute
Royal United Services Institute
The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies , officially still known by its old name, the Royal United Services Institution, is a British defence and security think tank. It was founded in 1831 by The Duke of Wellington.RUSI describes itself asIt won Prospect Magazine's...
about the dangers to international security of climate change, migration and global inequality, together with the possibility of the re-emergence of other states as strategic competitors. He was also the author of the DCDC Global Strategic Trends Programme 2007-36, which, among other assessments that were subsequently confirmed by events, foresaw the collapse of the world's financial system, the re-emergence of piracy at sea and the Russian intervention in Georgia.
Today, he is one of the UK's leading experts on strategic forecasting and geo-strategic trend-spotting and a noted thinker on all aspects of the current and future maritime and marine environment.
Independent Schools Council
After leaving the Navy, he became Chief Executive of the Independent Schools CouncilIndependent Schools Council
The Independent Schools Council is a non-profit organisation that represents 1,234 schools in the United Kingdom's independent education sector...
. In June 2008, he spoke about the divide between the independent and state sectors of education and the injustice and continuing inadequacies of state provision. Wishing to concentrate more on his strategic, academic and military activities and studies, he left that post soon afterwards.
Recent Activities
Since June 2008, he has worked as a writer, broadcaster and speaker, establishing a considerable reputation as one of the country's leading military theorists and strategists, with his remarkably prescient views and penetrating presentations about the future of geopolitics, security and warfare.On 12 June 2010, in an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he described the planning for the UK's 2006 deployment of 3,300 troops to Helmand Province
Helmand Province
Helmand is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the southwest of the country. Its capital is Lashkar Gah. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region, providing water for irrigation....
in Afghanistan as flawed, relying too much on lessons from Borneo, Malaya
Malayan Emergency
The Malayan Emergency was a guerrilla war fought between Commonwealth armed forces and the Malayan National Liberation Army , the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party, from 1948 to 1960....
and Northern Ireland
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
. The subsequent BBC News article quotes him as saying that senior planners had strongly resisted "ditching the lessons from the past", preferring these to the "radical and progressive ideas" which were needed.