A RETIRED Royal Naval Reserve Officer from Taunton, Somerset is “honoured” to be recognised for the Guinness World Record for the longest career for a woman in the Royal Navy, spanning over 45 years.

Commander Suzanne Clark has officially been recognised by the Guinness World Records for having the longest active career in the Royal Navy by a female, an achievement that marks over 45 years of dedicated service in both the Royal Naval Reserve and regular Royal Navy.

Reflecting on her career, Suzanne said: “I’m honoured to have received the GWR recognising the longevity of my career, commitment to the Royal Navy and all those I worked with over the years.”

Commander Suzanne Clark's certificate.Commander Suzanne Clark's certificate. (Image: SLt Hayla Westhead) Suzanne originally joined the Royal Naval Reserve at HMS Scotia, Rosyth in 1978. She then joined the regular service, known as the Women's Royal Naval Service in 1981, where she was selected for promotion as a Commissioned Officer.

Suzanne then rose to the rank of Third Officer as an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) and in 1992, after leaving regular service, Suzanne joined the Royal Naval Reserve Air Branch, now known as HMS Pegasus.

Suzanne then continued her career part-time alongside raising a family.

As her children grew up, Suzanne was able to further her Navy career by spending more time working in ATC as a supervisor and instructor at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Portland, then subsequently at RNAS Yeovilton in a similar role.

From here she assumed the role of Duty Flying Supervisor as a MOD Civil Servant. This presented an opportunity to change her role in the Royal Naval Reserve where she became an augmentee of the battle staff (now Commander UK Strike Force). This included deploying as a liaison Officer for the Air related activity during the initial phase of Operation Fortis.

Suzanne was selected to the rank of Commander before retiring from HMS Pegasus in 2023. She accumulated a total of 45 years and 107 days service in this time, and has beaten the previous record holder, WO1 Barbara McGregor. Barbara’s career span 43 years and 189 days.

Suzanne’s record was recognised by Guinness World Records in October 2024 as “Longest career in the Navy (active duty/service) (female)”.