Gary joined the Royal Navy in 1991 and the Submarine Service in 1994. Serving at sea in both SSNs and SSBNs, conducting operational patrols world-wide, and ashore in SM specific operational assignments until 2004 before moving into the Joint arena within PJHQ. On completion of a challenging and rewarding assignment in the tri-service environment, Gary moved into NCHQ in the personnel sphere responsible for short-notice movement of personnel to meet operational commitments. Re-assigned to the training environment in 2009, Gary became OIC of the SETT, responsible for leading SMERAS training for both UK and international students and leading the UK SPAG; towards the end of his 6 years in this
role he led the team that conducted the ESCAPEX from the new Forward Escape Tower in the Astute class submarine, completing 2 escapes himself; additionally he provided the SME knowledge to the initial planning team that led to the new non-pressurised SMERAS training facility in Faslane. Assigned back to NCHQ in a number of personnel roles from 2015 until 2024, Gary has now returned to the international SMERAS arena by joining MARCOM as the ISMERLO Operations Officer, a role that makes full use of both his operational and training experience.