Glenn Haughton

Glenn Haughton
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Years of service	1988 – present
Rank	Warrant Officer Class One (Commissioned at Captain but serves as WO1)
Unit	Grenadier Guards
Commands held	Army Sergeant Major (2015–)
Battles/wars	Gulf War War in Afghanistan Iraq War

Warrant Officer Class One Glenn John Haughton is a senior British Army soldier. In March 2015, he was appointed Army Sergeant Major, the most senior warrant officer and member of the other ranks in the British Army.^[1][2] He was previously Regimental Sergeant Major of the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards and Academy Sergeant Major at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.^[1][3]

Early life and education

Haughton left school after taking his GCSEs at the age of 16. He joined the military in 1988.^[4]

While serving in the army, he completed an Extended Diploma in strategic management; this is a qualification equivalent to two A-Levels. As of 2015, he is studying for a Master of Arts (MA) degree in business administration.^[4]

Military career

In 1988, Haughton joined the British Army as guardsman in the Grenadier Guards.^[4] During his career he has served a number of overseas posting and was involved in a number of conflicts including the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan, and the Iraq War.^[5] He was appointed Regimental Sergeant Major of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards in 2011. This meant he became the most senior soldier of the regiment.^[4]

In 2010, Haughton was selected for a Late Entry Commission (IE he was a senior serving soldier selected to become a commissioned officer). However, he was chosen to continue working as one of the army's most senior warrant officers rather than immediately take up the role of a staff officer.^[4] On 9 December 2013, he was commissioned into the British Army with the rank of captain but continued serving in the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1.^[6] He was appointed Academy Sergeant Major of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in January 2014.^[1]

In March 2015, he was appointed Army Sergeant Major, making him the most senior soldier in the British Army.^[1] He is the first to hold this newly created appointment.^[2] He will continue in this role for three years, before entering the Joint Services Command and Staff College to take the year-long Intermediate Command and Staff Course. Having completed the course, he will be promoted to major and continue his army career as an officer.^[4]

He has been a trustee of ABF The Soldiers' Charity since February 2014.^[1] As the Army Sergeant Major, he is the only soldier (and the first) to be a member of the Army Board.^[4]

Personal life

Haughton is married and has two children.^[7]

Honours and decorations

Haughton's service medals include the Gulf Medal, the General Service Medal, the Iraq Medal, and the Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan. He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Accumulated Campaign Service Medal, and the Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct.^[5] In January 2014, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for distinguished service.^[8]

References

1. "Trustees". The Soldiers Charity. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
2. "Soldiers take seat at top table". Soldier Magazine. British Army. February 2015. p. 13.
3. "Senior military officers support London Pride". blog.gov.uk. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
4. "New Army Sergeant Major Glenn Haughton". Army.mod.uk. British Army. 20 August 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
5. "Senior military officers support London Pride". Defence in the media. Ministry of Defence. 27 June 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
6. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 60777. p. 2811. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
7. Tan, Michelle (13 September 2015). "British army appoints first Army sergeant major". Army Times. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
8. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 60765. p. 1689. 28 January 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2015.