RMA – The Royal Marines Charity is delighted that former Royal Marines Officer Jon White, the most seriously injured Commando to have survived the infamous Operation HERRICK 12 tour in Afghanistan in 2010has agreed to represent the Charity as one of the new Ambassadors it will be announcing over the coming weeks and months.
Jon’s road to recovery has seen him take on many demanding physical challenges, proving in reality the powerful belief that ‘a strong will and sharp mind can overcome almost anything.
He is now an internationally sought-after inspirational and motivational speaker, property developer and talented kayaker, competing across three disciplines, sprint, marathon, and ocean and he is currently training for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.
Jon has a long and proud association with the RM Commandos and is an inspiration and respected individual not only throughout the entire Corps Family but also across the wider Armed Forces and public community. He is also no stranger to the media, having featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs and BBC 2’s Commando: Britain’s Ocean Warriors.
As the son whose father served for 25 years, he had already decided by the age of 14 he also wanted to be a Royal Marine. Having joined up in 2002, he quickly rose through the ranks when, as a Captain in command of Reconnaissance Troop 40 Cdo on his second Operational Tour of Afghanistan during the infamous Operation HERRICK, he stepped on a Pressure Plate Improvised Explosive Device and lost three limbs.
The Charity has remained by Jon’s side over the intervening years, offering support as he has excelled in applying himself to adjusting and rehabilitating in the same way he applied himself to his military career.
He has achieved a BSc in Psychology from the University of Exeter, qualified as an executive coach and, in pursuing his talent for kayaking, was the first time Para-athlete to compete in the Nelo Summer Challenge in 2019, a world-level ocean race. He went on to represent Great Britain at the Marathon World Championships in 2022, winning Bronze and Silver medals.
However, as well as being a beneficiary, Jon has used his astounding energy and resilience skills to raise money and promote RMA – The Royal Marines Charity. Over the years, he has undertaken numerous kayaking challenges to raise much-needed funds and, since individual records started to be recorded in 2018, has to date raised around £22,000.
Jon is also an integral part of the Charity’s Commando Mindset team, a programme that delivers resilience training to senior leaders in the business community, helping in the process to strengthen relationships with the corporate world.
“RMA – The Royal Marines Charity has been the safety net I needed throughout my recovery and resettlement post injury,” comments Jon. “I have experienced and witnessed their great work and have been delighted to raise money for them. I’m now honoured to become an Ambassador.”
