Commander Sam Kinsey-Briggs MBE MA | Military Assistant to Chief of Defence People

Sam went to school in Stellenbosch, South Africa and Coronado, CA, USA. She worked as a scuba instructor in Egypt for 4 years before joining the Army Air Corps in 1998.

After a short period as an Air Trooper she commissioned into the Royal Logistics Corps after attending Sandhurst. During her time with 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, Marchwood she deployed on Operation AGRICOLA (Kosovo) and took part in Exercise Saif Sareea II in Oman (RFA Sir Galahad).

On transferring to the Royal Navy she spent some time in HMS ARK ROYAL, 820 Naval Air Squadron, HMS SOUTHAMPTON – seeing deployments to Iraq, Caribbean and Falkland Islands.

In early 2009 she deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan in support of Operation HERRICK (NATO Media Officer). She joined HMS EDINBURGH as the Logistics Officer in May 2010, bringing the ship out of refit and taking her through Basic Operational Sea Training and a deployment back to the South Atlantic via Africa. She joined Commander United Kingdom Amphibious Forces in September 2011 as the Military Assistant to the Commandant General Royal Marines and deployed on Ex Cold Response in Norway and Ex Eager Lion in Jordan. She joined the Naval Staff in August 2013 as an International Defence Engagement Officer. She was awarded an MBE for her contribution to Diversity and Inclusion and Women’s Sport in the 2016 New Year’s Honours List. On completion of Advanced Command and Staff Course 20 she joined the Standing Joint Force Logistics Component as Staff Officer Operations Support; and deployed on Ex Saif Sareea 2 (Oman) and also to Germany. She was Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff to the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff in the Ministry Defence; a Project Manager and Military Assistant to the Minister for Defence Procurement. She has recently taken up the role as Military Assistant to Chief of Defence People.

Sam is a Triathlon coach, a member of the Naval Service Women’s Network and the Compass Network (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Network). She enjoys many sports, a good book, a mean game of chess and a glass of red wine if it is raining. As an Ambassador for the Inspiring the Future Campaign, she regularly speaks at local schools and supports local charity events in various guises. She is committed to supporting Human Rights at Sea and Fighting with Pride Charities.