Jamie Pennell, NZGS

Jamie is a former operator and commander serving within the New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS). Jamie is known for his service and lasting contributions both during and after his military career. 

Over the course of nearly two decades with the NZSAS, Jamie completed multiple deployments to Afghanistan and other areas around the world. A highlight of his operational service was leading an assault team to resolve the 2011 Taliban siege of Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel. In this critical operation, he played a key role in coordinating with the Afghan Crisis Response Unit, Coalition force personnel, and other specialist assets to clear the building and rescue civilians trapped inside. For his actions, he was awarded the New Zealand Gallantry Star, the nation's second-highest military honour.

In 2024, Jamie published his memoir, Serviceman J: The Untold Story of an NZSAS Soldier, offering a candid and compelling account of his experiences. The book explores the rigorous selection and training processes of the NZSAS, his deployments, the realities of combat operations, and the psychological challenges faced by soldiers, particularly during the transition back to civilian life.

Following his retirement from active service, Jamie continued to serve the community through mentoring high-performance athletes and taking on educational leadership roles. He currently leads the Mangatāwhiri Campus at Dilworth School, where he oversees the Learning in the Outdoors programme, Te Haerenga (The Journey), designed to equip young men with essential life skills.

Jamie’s enduring dedication to excellence, resilience, and leadership defines both his military and civilian journeys. His willingness to share hard-earned lessons offers powerful insights into the realities of New Zealand Special Forces operations.