Life, Duty & Command, first memoir from Chief of Defence Staff -Antonette Wemyss – Gorman – A bestseller on Amazon

Vice Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, Chief of Defence Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), has officially released her first memoir, Life, Duty & Command, on Sunday May 10, 2026 worldwide on Amazon. 

Within 24 hours of its release, the memoir earned a place on Amazon’s Best Seller list in the Jamaica Caribbean & West Indies History category, signalling strong interest from readers across the Caribbean and diaspora communities.

Life, Duty & Command chronicles the distinguished journey of the first woman to lead Jamaica’s military — from her upbringing in rural Jamaica to decades of exceptional service in the Jamaica Defence Force. Through stories of resilience, discipline, leadership and national service, the memoir provides readers with an inspiring look at the experiences that shaped one of Jamaica’s most respected military leaders globally.

The memoir also offers reflections on perseverance, breaking barriers, mentorship, sacrifice and purpose, while also giving readers insight into the human side of military leadership and nation-building. With a narrative grounded in Jamaican identity and global leadership lessons, the book is expected to resonate with young professionals, women leaders, members of the diaspora, students and anyone pursuing excellence against the odds.

Speaking on the release of the book, Vice Admiral Wemyss-Gorman shared that the memoir was written to inspire others to recognise the power of determination and service. “I chose to write Life, Duty & Command because I wanted young people, especially those from humble beginnings, to understand that leadership is not reserved for a select few. Your circumstances do not define the limits of your future. In addition, the chronicling of women’s contributions has been limited and I was encouraged to pen my own story as a reminder that with discipline, courage and commitment to purpose, it is possible to rise beyond expectations and create meaningful impact in any field one chooses.”

Already being described as an inspiring Jamaican success story, Life, Duty & Command has quickly become a must-read for readers interested in leadership, military history, women’s empowerment and achievement. The release marks another historic milestone for the Chief of Defence Staff, whose groundbreaking leadership continues to inspire Jamaicans at home and abroad.

Life, Duty & Command is now available for purchase worldwide on Amazon with an official launch in Jamaica to be announced with local, regional and international book signing opportunities for readers.