He became commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles in 1962 and in that role was deployed to Borneo during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation. He went on to be Commander, Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces and Director of Operations during the Dhofar Rebellion in 1967, Commandant, School of Infantry in 1970 and General Officer Commanding North West District in 1972. His last appointment was as General Officer Commanding, Near East Land Forces in 1974 before retiring in 1976.