Serviceman J: The Untold Story of an NZSAS Soldier

by Jamie Pennell

A gripping memoir by a former NZSAS commander on serving in Afghanistan over five deployments and operating at the edge of his limits


In 2011, following the Taliban siege on Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel, an SAS soldier identified only as Serviceman J was awarded New Zealand's second highest military honour by showing outstanding gallantry in the face of danger. After eighteen years in the New Zealand SAS, ex-commander Jamie Pennell is now ready to tell his story.

Having survived the famously tough SAS selection course and excelled during its brutal training, Jamie was sent on four deployments to Afghanistan and played a critical role in New Zealand's operations. From patrols across desert territories run by warlords to hostile fire and near-death combat, Serviceman J is a heart-stopping account of life inside one of the world's most elite military forces.

Genres: Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2025

Reviews

[Lizzie Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very insightful story to learn about the NZSAS. Some important lessons included that are applicable to everyone. (A good audiobook too, listened on Spotify).

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The upmost respect and admiration 🫡

[Jared Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, up there with the best in the genre.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended.
I was fairly ignorant to what Nzdf were doing in Afghanistan so this was an eye opener! Great page turner.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An NZSAS soldier is one of those jobs that you hear about all the time but never have any idea what is actually entails. What it takes to become one and what you do when you become one. This books tackles these questions and takes the reader behind the curtain to show us what a NZSAS actually does.

The memoir takes you on Pennell's journey from signing up for the army, through selection and his amazing 18 years serving in the NZ Army as a well regarded SAS solider, then life after the army and working for some pretty big named sports teams to help raise leadership skill and his current job with helping at risk youth see a different path for their future.

I thoroughly enjoyed finding out about what it took to actually become a soldier: what the need to do in order to survive selection and make it into he elite task force, what training actually entails and what they do in their

All the stories from his time in Afghanistan, Israel and the Middle East are all fascinating not only in discovery a culture very different to our own here in New Zealand but also hearing about what it’s really like to be part of a peacekeeping section of an active war zone. It’s a side we don’t get very often.

[Jem Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing! 10/10 would recommend to anyone who reads.

I have grown up in an army family and have met Jamie before as he is a family friend. He mentioned my father Duggy Grant and I won’t lie I shed a tear or two.

This book has helped me understand what my father went through and get an insight to the NZSAS training as I was too young to understand what my dad went through when he did. It is amazing to see how the brotherhood is so strong and I loved reading these stories about their deployments.

Jamie has shown strength writing about his journey including the ups and downs of what he has been through. I hope this story reaches all audiences and I hope it encourages more of our soldiers to share their stories.

Thank you Jamie for this book it is amazing!!

[Stuart Chrisp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight into a career & life as a Special Forces soldier with the NZSAS

Jamie Pennell is an amazing man! After 18 years as a soldier and leader within the NZ Defence Force's elite NZSAS Regiment he has transitioned to build a very successful civilian career in high performance coaching and outdoor education.

This is an insightful, honest and well written account of his life and experiences getting into, successfully operating within & getting out of the NZSAS.

Highly recommended as not only a great read but has some powerful insights into human potential and high performance!

[Jacob Donny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read that leaves out the unnecessary fluff.
Some real tangible lessons that have a serious impact. Jamie doesn't pull punches on his own mistakes and offers insights and resources into how he is recovering his mental health back after his service.

As well as just good honest waries in there.
Jamie exemplifies the NZ soldier through his descriptions of "kiwi" warfighting.
There is a distinctive difference to how other nations do it, the kiwis punch well above their weight and seem to have a sense of justice and goodness that needs to be upheld no matter the situation.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. An interesting insight into the understandably hidden world of the SAS. Massive respect for their mahi and the insane training they do to get there. Told with transparency and humour. Found his challenge returning to “normal life” interesting, as I think it’s important for men to talk about when they’re not feeling okay.

[Stephanie luits · Rating 2 out of 5]

The message was insightful and I appreciated getting a look behind the curtain.
2.5 stars. I felt as though an author should have written his story for him and perhaps it would have flowed better.

I really enjoyed Jamie’s insights into mental health and the mental toll that a fast paced job had on him and others. Something that is rarely expressed but so powerful to hear about.

[Alfie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really shows both the heroic side of some of our worlds mist elite armed forces, whilst also giving a vulnerable insight into how the ruling work and training they go through has its toll on social life, relationships, and mental health.

[Susan Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serviceman J

This was a really well written insight into the life of a NZSAS soldier.
It also documents Jamie’s difficulty acclimatising to ordinary civilian life after being in the SAS in war zones.
It is a very honest account.

[Malakai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating insight.
Former Albertian, per angusta ad augusta. 🦁

[Michelle T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook 🎧

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting read

[Jordan Dashfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing