Colonel Karl Gray

Commanding Officer of 47 Commando Royal Marines

Colonel Karl Gray joined the Royal Marines Commandos in 1998 after graduating from the University of Liverpool. His early career with 40 Commando included amphibious deployments to the Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa and Norway, operational tours in Northern Ireland, Iraq and multiple deployments to Afghanistan, as well as joint training with the US Marine Corps.

In 2005, he was appointed to train Young Officers at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines. Promoted to Major in 2007, he commanded Y Squadron, 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group, followed by command of M Company, 42 Commando and Command Company, 45 Commando. He later served as second in command of 40 Commando. His senior staff appointments included roles within the Ministry of Defence, Navy Command Headquarters and Permanent Joint Headquarters. He completed the Advanced Command and Staff Course, gaining an MA in Defence Studies, and has undertaken operational assignments in Somalia, Eastern Europe, Lebanon and Romania.

He currently serves as a senior Royal Marines officer.