Captain Nick Cunningham began Commando Training at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in September 1994 and passed for duty in November 1995. His first appointment was as the Officer in Charge of the General Support Troop in the Commando Logistic Regiment. During this time he deployed on major exercises to Norway (WD 96) and the USA (Purple Star)

In November 1996 he was drafted to 45 Commando Group Royal Marines. He spent the next three years in Scotland as the second in command of Support Company and the Assault Engineer Troop Commander. As an expert in demolition he enjoyed 'blowing things up' during various foreign exercises including two winter deployments to the Arctic, the Californian Desert, Zimbabwe and in the jungles of Brunei and Central America. In the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch in October 1998 his troop was deployed into Nicaragua as part of Operation Tellar. They provided humanitarian relief to the indigenous Mesquite Indians of Western Nicaragua. In recognition of this operation Captain Cunningham was awarded the Queens Commendation for Valuable Service in the Queens 1999 New Years Honours List. In November 1999 he left 45 Commando to spend six months on the Junior Command and Staff Officers Course. Having completed the Course he joined Headquarters Band Service Royal Marines as Staff Officer, where he currently resides. He is the Troop Officer for the New Entry Troop 1/00 and thus regularly visits the New Entry Troop in the field whilst on exercise and throughout their training schedule.

Captain Cunningham is single and spends his recreation and leave time indulging his sporting passions of Sub Aqua, Golf and Rugby.