BRIG John Boswell
BRIG John Boswell
Land Component Commander, New Zealand Army
Brigadier Boswell enlisted into the New Zealand Army in January 1984 and graduated from the Officer Cadet School Waiouru in December 1985 into the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment in the rank of Second Lieutenant.
Brigadier Boswell has served with the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment in both Singapore and New Zealand, and has completed two postings, including one as the Commanding Officer, with the 2nd/1st Infantry Battalion.
Throughout his career Brigadier Boswell has undertaken a range of regimental, staff and training appointments including postings as the Chief Instructor Combat School, Director Army Training, Military Assistant at the New Zealand High Commission in London, Head of Strategy Management (Army), Acting Deputy Chief of Army, and the Chief Staff Officer - Joint Plans at Headquarters Joint Force New Zealand. Brigadier Boswell was posted in as the Assistant Chief Strategic Commitments and Engagements in January 2016.
In March 2018 he will take up the role of Land Component Commander, HQ JFNZ.
Brigadier Boswell has deployed on operations with the United Nations in Angola, East Timor and the Middle East and, in April 2010, he deployed to Afghanistan, as the Senior National Officer and Commanding Officer of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team, Bamyan. Brigadier Boswell was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Decoration (DSD) in recognition of his service in Afghanistan.
In 1999 Brigadier Boswell attended the Australian Command and Staff Course at Queenscliffe and, in 2015, the National Defence College of India. He holds a Masters in Defence Studies from the University of Canberra, a Masters of Philosophy (Defence and Strategic Studies) from the University of Madras, and a Masters of Management, Bachelors of Arts (History) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Massey University.
Brigadier Boswell is married to Vicky and they have a son and a daughter; Joseph and Kate. His interests include all sports, either as a participant, administrator or spectator.