Royal Navy officer who swapped Portsmouth role for Afghan mission awarded prestigious medal from American allies

Rachel Smallwood, who helps to run the Naval Servicewoman’s Network from Navy Command Headquarters on Whale Island, has spent the last seven months in Afghanistan working alongside US armed forces.

The 44-year-old has been working to make the Afghan National Defence Security Forces more effective and more affordable and is due to fly back to the UK on Sunday.

But before she returns, her US allies have given her ‘a lovely surprise’ – awarding her one of the nation’s most prestigious military medals.

Rachel, who started her service as a Royal Marines musician, said: ‘I feel privileged to have been part of the Royal Navy’s contribution to the Nato mission to bring peace and security to the Afghan people, and honoured to have been presented with the US Meritorious Service Medal.

‘I joined the armed forces 24 years ago, with the plan of serving four years.

‘I’m still serving because I gain immense satisfaction from making a positive difference to the lives of others, whether they be my fellow servicewomen and servicemen, or people in countries where conflict and instability makes life very challenging for them.’

Rachel was presented the medal by US Lieutenant General John Deedrick, who said the naval officer had ‘worked her socks off’.

Her award citation said: ‘Her outstanding leadership, expertise and dedication to duty significantly enhanced the success of the command’s mission during military operations and set the standard for others to emulate.

‘Her distinctive accomplishments reflect great credit upon herself and the Royal Navy.’

The US Meritorious Service Medal is typically awarded to American personnel including Gulf War I leader ‘Stormin’ Norman Schwarzkopf and Vietnam veteran and US senator John McCain.

Rachel, from the Isle of Wight, has previously been decorated by the Royal Navy for her efforts in the navy’s personnel division.

Back in the UK, she will continue her work with Naval Servicewoman’s Network, which champions the work of women in the Royal Navy.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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