Hello
Des Powell was born and raised in the steel city of Sheffield. Enlisting at the age of 19, he began his military career in the Parachute Regiment (Paras). Joining the Paras involved passing P-Company, the notoriously challenging pre-parachute selection training in order to become part of the airborne brotherhood. In the Paras, Des was particularly noted for his commitment to physical fitness and his natural drive earned him a place as the certified physical training instructor for 1st Battalion (1 Para), training new recruits. Des went on to spend eight years in the Paras advancing through the ranks, specialising in unarmed combat and high altitude free fall parachuting.
Background
The SAS
Determined for more, Des joined the elite Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) in 1986 after passing the British Army’s toughest SAS selection process. He went on to serve for 20 years in the heart of counter terrorism and special covert operations in South-Eastern Europe, South America, Africa, and the Middle East. During his time in the SAS, Des rose to the rank of Sergeant Major, demonstrating his leadership, exceptional discipline and resilience within the British Army’s most demanding unit.
Life in the 'Circuit'
Following his outstanding military career, Des continued his career in the private security sector as a security consultant and close protection officer in some of the world's most dangerous territories. Des' clients included A-list celebrities, VIPs, journalists from international news media companies and humanitarian aid workers operating in volatile countries.
SAS: Bravo Three Zero
In October 2021, Des co-authored a Sunday Times Bestseller 'SAS: Bravo Three Zero' with the renowned Damien Lewis, a leading military author, historian and filmmaker. 'SAS: Bravo Three Zero' reveals an extraordinary untold story for the first time about one of the legendary SAS patrols deployed during the first Gulf War in 1991. In the book, Des shares a first hand account of the testing but successful mission and lessons learnt deep behind enemy lines.
SAS: My Trial by Fire
Following the success of 'SAS: Bravo Three Zero', in June 2025, Des released his second book 'SAS: My Trial by Fire'. In the book, Des reveals what it takes to join the Paras and the elite SAS, having undergone SAS selection twice. He shares how training in the Paras turned him into a highly skilled soldier but, more importantly, how the SAS selection process transformed him into a member of the elite. The book highlights the ethos of the SAS regiment which is: humility, humour, discipline, class-less society, and the never-ending pursuit of excellence. The ethos defines the mindset of a special forces soldier which he continues to live by today.