Life, Duty & Command

FROM ROOTS TO RANK: SHAPED BY RESILIENCE, CALLED TO LEAD

From a curious little girl in Jamaica to the first woman ever appointed Chief of Defence Staff, Antonette Wemyss-Gorman has lived a life defined by courage, conviction, and the refusal to accept limits.

In Life, Duty & Command, Antonette shares the deeply personal journey behind the historic headlines-of a daughter shaped by love and discipline, a young officer determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated military, and a leader who shattered the glass ceiling to command a nation's armed forces.

This is more than a military memoir. It is a story of resilience, motherhood, leadership, and the power of believing that no dream is too bold and no barrier too high.

Whether you are a young woman reaching for your own firsts, a leader facing impossible odds, or anyone who has ever been told "you can't," Antonette's story will remind you that when women rise, the world rises too.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vice Admiral {VAdm) Antonette Wemyss-Gorman made history in 2022 as the second woman in the world to lead a nation's military when she was appointed Chief of Defence Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force. She was the first woman to serve at sea in the JDF, and she dedicated 33 years to breaking barriers while shaping regional maritime security and leadership across the Caribbean.

Her trailblazing career has earned global recognition, including being named by the World Economic Forum among ten women who made history worldwide. She later served as Chair of the global Chiefs of Defence network for Women, Peace and Security from 2024 to 2025, further amplifying her influence on international security and gender inclusion.

A distinguished and decorated naval officer, she holds a Master's degree with distinction from the University of the West Indies, national and international military honours and awards, and now serves as Vice Chancellor of the Caribbean Military Academy. Recognised worldwide for her pioneering achievements, her memoir Life, Duty and Command chronicles her extraordinary journey from rural Jamaica to the highest levels of military command.

Antonette is a proud mother to James and a keen gardener.