Neryl Joyce

Neryl Joyce served as a highly trained military police officer in the Australian Army. After her military service, she transitioned to private security, joining a firm located within Baghdad’s Green Zone, a heavily fortified area in Iraq. Her role involved guarding Iraqi electoral commissioners, a high-risk assignment. As a female bodyguard in this environment, Neryl Joyce faced the challenge of demonstrating her capabilities and professionalism to be recognized as an equal among her peers.

During her time in Iraq, Joyce observed conditions that led her to believe a significant incident was likely to occur. Her experiences and observations from this period were later documented in her book, ‘Mercenary Mum: My Journey From Young Mother to Baghdad Bodyguard’, which was published by Black Inc. Her narrative details the challenges of working in a volatile region while balancing her responsibilities as a mother.

Throughout her career, Joyce maintained a focus on security and risk management. She later held the position of General Manager for Security at Executive Risk Solutions (ERS) in the Greater Perth Area, demonstrating continued engagement in the security industry following her work in Iraq. Her career progression highlights her dedication to the field of security, from military service to private contracting and leadership roles.