Profile
Paul Carney's OBE: a lifelong sapper's outstanding service
Former Army Sergeant Major Paul Carney, a lifelong sapper who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo after enlisting in 1997, was made an OBE in the 2025 Birthday Honours for outstanding service; he now works for the housing provider Pinnacle.
· Honoria
Former Army Sergeant Major Paul Carney was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2025 Birthday Honours. A lifelong sapper*, he enlisted as a teenager in 1997 and went on to serve in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. "His service to the British Army and to his country has been outstanding," his citation said.
Now 45 and working for the housing provider Pinnacle, Carney said he would wear his OBE "with pride."
His award sits among the 2025 Birthday Honours List. Source: Soldier magazine.
* A sapper is a soldier of the Royal Engineers trained in combat engineering - building and clearing bridges, fortifications, obstacles and minefields under fire.