Duncan Baillie
Retired SAS | Force Blue Veteran | Ocean Guardian
From the SAS to the sea, Duncan’s life has been defined by courage, teamwork, and purpose. Now with FORCE BLUE, he protects marine life, inspires the next generation, and is the living embodiment of every second counts.
Want to dive deeper into his story? Strap in — this is one mission you’ll want to read.
From the Battlefield to the Ocean
Born with the stories of his grandfather’s military service echoing in his ears, Duncan always felt the call to serve. Leaving a banking job in South Africa, he boarded a plane to the UK with one mission: to join the British Army. First stop, the British Parachute Regiment. Guided by the discipline of his grandfather and inspired by tales of the SAS, Duncan’s path was shaped by legacy, grit, and purpose.
He then earned his place among the most elite—serving in the SAS, where every moment demanded resilience, teamwork, and precision. But it was what came after the uniform that gives him purpose outside his family.
Rebuilding Purpose
For many veterans, the transition to civilian life comes with its challenges. Duncan also had to deal with a move to the U.S., but he continued his work in Defence, in the world he had known for so long, phasing that transition. It wasn’t until a fellow veteran introduced him to FORCE BLUE that he found a new mission: healing the ocean and helping others do the same.
Today, Duncan is part of a unique unit of Special Operations veterans and marine scientists working to preserve and protect the marine environment. His favourite missions? The ones involving the protection of turtles. “I’m a sucker for a turtle.”
Passing the Torch
For Duncan, conservation isn’t work—it’s legacy. His son, Elvis, dreams of becoming a marine biologist. We at Luminox thought it would be cool to support his first step towards this goal and sponsor Elvis to join the FORCE BLUE Ocean Conservation School, walking the path his father helped pioneer. “In all honesty, it's very difficult for me to put into words how special this OCS will be for me as a father,” Duncan says. “I feel like this opportunity that Luminox has given him will be life changing and will in some meaningful way, shape his life.”
Duncan leads by quiet example—through service, through family, and through action. He shares ocean stories with his children, teaches them to be fearless, and reminds them that courage, kindness, and purpose go hand in hand.
Warrior for a Cause
Duncan lives by the belief that “every cause needs a warrior—and every warrior needs a cause.” FORCE BLUE gave him a new reason to serve: the planet. With every dive, every mission, and every school program, he’s helping shape a better future—not just for veterans, but for the next generation.
Duncan’s story is one of transformation. From elite operator to ocean protector, from soldier to father and mentor—he’s proof that service never ends. It just evolves. ”Make every second count,” he says. “Not just for yourself, but for the world around you. It doesn’t have to be grand. Pick up one piece of trash. Start there.”
Duncan’s resilience, teamwork, and commitment to protecting the planet make him a true Luminox Everyday Hero.
His journey from elite SAS missions to ocean conservation reflects the Luminox values: every second counts, never give up, and serve with purpose.
Hear from Duncan himself as we dive into his path from the military to marine conservation, his work with FORCE BLUE, and the legacy he hopes to pass on to the next generation. See the interview here.
