Lieutenant Commander (Lt Cdr) Peter Beanland from Plympton joined the Royal Navy in 1998 and was presented with his Long Service and Good Conduct medal by his Commanding Officer, Captain Jol Woodard, at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC). The 44-year-old currently serves at the world-renowned College in Dartmouth as the Chief of Staff.

Since joining the Royal Navy Lt Cdr Beanland has served on eight warships and has also completed operational tours to Bosnia and the Falkland Islands. Last year he was the Officer of the Royal Guard in Orkney to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland; an event attended by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal.

Lt Cdr Beanland said: “My time in the RN has flown by; I have visited some amazing places and met many interesting people including several senior members of different Royal families.

“Although challenging at times, I feel that I have made a difference. My time in the Royal Navy has been great fun; I would do it all again in a heartbeat.”

Lt Cdr Beanland was a teacher before he joined the Royal Navy. He said: “I think my mother and some of my former school teachers will be surprised to learn that I have managed so long with ‘good conduct’; the Royal Navy must have taught me that discipline.”

Details of career opportunities in the Royal Navy are available at www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers