Andrew Young
PhD Candidate
Research interests
- Conflict
- Security
Biography
Andrew (Andy) Young is a part-time PhD student in the Department of War Studies and a current civil servant at the Royal Navy Strategic Studies Centre (RNSSC).
A former serving naval officer, Andy’s final appointment was as the Corps Tutor to the Royal Marines – specialising in professional military education – teaching strategic studies to all ranks and rates at BRNC Dartmouth, HMS Raleigh, Royal Marines Commando Training Centre, and JSCSC Shrivenham. After leaving the RN, Andy worked for Ministry of Defence Schools in Cyprus, the Royal United Services Institute on Whitehall, and then RAF Cranwell as a Staff Studies instructor. He joined the RNSSC in Dec 2022.
A regular contributor to the Naval Review whilst in-Service (pre-2019), Andy also wrote research papers for Defence Futures (formerly DCDC) and authored elements of the Royal Navy’s Maritime Doctrine Primer. Since 2020, alongside articles for RUSI Defence Systems, Andy has published with Wavell Room, Council on Geostrategy, and book chapters with a number of defence publications. Whilst at RUSI, he hosted the A Call To Arms interview series, and currently hosts the RNSSC’s Lunchtime Lecture series.
Andy holds an MPhil in International Relations and Politics (Cantab), a PGDip in Training Management and Consultancy, a BA in War Studies (2007), and is an Associate of King’s College. His research interests include the development of amphibious doctrine and British strategic history.
Thesis
“Developing Amphibious Doctrine: The British Experience of the Seven Years War”
Andy’s proposed PhD thesis explores the development of a discrete British approach to war and warfare – amphibious in nature and character – during the first global conflict. Using primary source material and rooted in the work of Thomas More Molyneux, this unique research re-assesses approaches to joint warfare during the period, and subsequently, and is bringing Molyneux’s Conjunct Expeditions back into the light after a century of neglect. Whilst an examination of the historical thread between policy and the use of the military instrument, this research is directly relevant to current questions of British maritime strategy, amphibious operations, and tactics, techniques and procedures.
Publications
Books
Book Chapters
- “‘For Want of System’: Thomas More Molyneux and the Birth of a British Way of Warfare”, in British Amphibious Warfare 1739-1815 (Helion: Warwick, 2025).
- “Anson’s Legacy: The Man Who Built a Navy, 1751-1762” in Sailors, Ships and Seafights ed Nicholas James Kaizer (Helion: Warwick, 2024): 199-222.
- “Chapter 2 – ‘Left him Alone With His Glory’: Sir John Moore and the Miracle of Corunna” in Armies in Retreat, eds Heck, T.G & Walker D Mills. (Army University Press: Leavenworth, 2023): 9-30.
- “Amphibious Genesis: Thomas More Molyneux and the birth of Amphibious Doctrine”, in Contested Shores, eds Timothy Heck & BA Friedman (Marine Corps University Press: Quantico, 2020): 38-54.
Research Articles
- “Relearning the 3 Rs: Risk, Resilience and Reconstitution”, The Broadside, Council on Geostrategy, 9 Apr 2025.
- “Littoral Logistics and the Importance of 17 Port and Maritime Regiment” RUSI Defence Systems, 3 Jan 2025.
- “The Strategic Utility of Raiding” Wavell Room, 6 May 2023.
- “The Commando Force’s Focus on Raiding is Distorting Future Amphibious Ship Planning”, RUSI Defence Systems, 15 Feb 2023.
- “Tilting at Windmills? UK Defence and the Indo-Pacific”, Wavell Room, 30 Nov 2022.
- “RFA Argus: Fit for Any Mission?”, RUSI Defence Systems, 21 Sep 2022
- “You Are the Weakest Link: The Limits of UK Defence Medical Capability”, RUSI Defence Systems, 20 Jul 2022.
- “What Next for the Commandos?”, RUSI Defence Systems, 2 May 2022.
- “Back to the Future: Royal Marines, Commandos and the call of the High North”, RUSI Defence Systems, 13 Oct 2021.
- “Littoral Response Groups: It’s about mass”, RUSI Defence Systems, 12 July 2021.
- “Commandos, Rangers and the race to be Special – First”, RUSI Defence Systems, 14 May 2021.
- “The Integrated Review: Technology, not People, is the UK’s Finest Asset”, RUSI Defence Systems, 25 Mar 2021.
Policy Paper
Media Articles
- SAHR Online Talk June 2025: Andy Young on the 1757 Rochefort Expedition, Society of Army Historical Research, 18 June 2025.
- A Call To Arms is a video series conducted under the Royal United Service Institute’s banner, as part of the Profession of Arms programme, in which Andy interviewed senior UK Defence personnel.
- “Developing Amphibious Doctrine – The British Experience of the Seven Years War”, RUSI Military History Series, Thu 23 June 2022.
Research
Laughton Naval History and Maritime Strategy Unit
A Home for British naval and maritime thinking, research into global naval history and the study of seapower and maritime strateg. The Laughton Unit provides the ideal basis for original and challenging research on all aspects of naval history, seapower, sea power studies and maritime strategy, preparing the next generation of thinkers from all around the world, ready and able, for a spectrum of career possibilities and destinations.
Research
Laughton Naval History and Maritime Strategy Unit
A Home for British naval and maritime thinking, research into global naval history and the study of seapower and maritime strateg. The Laughton Unit provides the ideal basis for original and challenging research on all aspects of naval history, seapower, sea power studies and maritime strategy, preparing the next generation of thinkers from all around the world, ready and able, for a spectrum of career possibilities and destinations.