Christopher Swannell

Sep 2023- Current Day – Royal Marine Commando, Regimental Accountant

• Manage all incoming and outgoing payments of units non-public money
• Manage funds using online banking and MOD accounting software Paxton
• Maintain organised and accurate financial records for annual audit
• Communicate with ranks deployed globally ensuring events are funded and financially viable
• Conduct multiple financial transactions for ranks deployed globally
• Oversee and complete all charity grants and funding requests for unit functions, events and adventure training
• Manage Regimental Institute Shop, selling clothes, equipment and gifts to generate profits supporting all ranks at 40 Commando RM
• Concentrate for long periods whilst inputting important repetitive data

2017- 2023 Royal Marine Commando, Field Catering Troop Sergeant

• Plan, organise and manage multiple Chef deployments from rear location
• Allocate correct workforce, equipment, fuel, vehicle support and funding for each deployment
• Conduct annual equipment safety inspections and record/rectify any faults using in-house software and technicians
• In 2021 attended Defence Trainers Course learning multiple methods of teaching, mentoring and assessing students
• Created two-week Field Catering training package ran 4 times annually, designed to train Royal Navy Chefs with no field experience how to prepare, plan and deploy to provide catering support at Royal Marine Units
• Conduct annual troop level training packages aimed at refreshing and confirming skills, safety and competency

2012-2017 Royal Marines Commando, Field Chef

• Primary role was still Infantryman
• Deploy with Fighting Companies and provide catering support
• Organise regular food drops either by road or air to our location
• Deploy with full field kitchen and provide at least 3 meals daily in a wide range of environments
• Attend daily planning briefs to understand daily activities and timings of all ranks at our location
• Maintain food safety and hygiene at my location minimising risk of food poisoning/pest infestation

2011-2012 Royal Marine Commando, Section Commander Corporal

• Lead my team to complete objectives safely, effectively and efficiently
• Attend planning briefs to extract information relevant to my team and conduct orders accordingly
• Deploy on operations promoting team safety by remaining situationally aware to multiple threats on the ground
• Remain fluid to any change of plans at short notice
• Communicating via secure radio to my commanders both receiving orders and relaying information from the ground to the Ops Room
• Conducting daily equipment inspections confirming all ranks were maintaining and carrying correct equipment for the objective
• Liaising with local national contractors and civilians to help us achieve our goals
• Concern myself with the welfare of my team both physically and mentally, always open and available for informal chats to any rank if they were struggling with any aspect of life in the Royal Marines or at home
• Skill At Arms qualified enabling me to manage live firing range days. Adhering to MOD policy to minimise risk and rectify/retrain ranks if required

2005-2010 Royal Marine Commando, Infantryman

• Deployed globally on exercises and operations in all environments
• Conduct amphibious assaults from the sea
• Engage in close-quarters combat, including raids, ambushes, and other forms of direct action
• Undertake special operations missions, such as reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and other high-risk assignments
• Provide security for naval vessels, installations, and other assets
• Provide assistance in disaster-stricken areas and participate in humanitarian relief efforts
• Collect intelligence to support military operations
• Conduct patrols to gather information and maintain a presence in specific areas
• Specialised training in desert, mountain, jungle and Arctic warfare to operate in diverse environments
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Maintain high level of physical fitness and readiness for deployment
  

• Maintained optimal vehicle driving conditions, conducting daily fuel, tyre and safety checks.
• Completed daily pre-trip inspection checklists ahead of customer drop-offs, maintaining order and delivery accuracy.
• Loaded vehicles safely and efficiently, securing items to prevent damage for high-volume deliveries.
• Fostered positive working relationships with customers, knowledgeably responding to delivery questions and concerns.
• Maintained exceptional service times during peak delivery seasons for consistent levels of customer satisfaction.
• Secured customer signatures for deliveries.
• Collected mail from post boxes, post offices and business establishments.
• Organised mail deliveries by priority and nearest location.

• Measured component pieces and checked values against task specifications.
• Fabricated component pieces and built structures from start to finished product.
• Safely operated hand tools, cutting and routing machinery to perform operations to highest standards.
• Made, installed and repaired articles fabricated from different types of sheet metal.