Holman was promoted to major in January 1971, and lieutenant colonel in June 1977. He served as the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion (Queen's Surreys) in Northern Ireland, for which he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1980 New Year Honours. He was appointed as deputy colonel of The Queen's Regiment in January 1984. In June of the same year, he was promoted to colonel. He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1987 New Year Honours. His tenure as deputy colonel of The Queen's Regiment expired in January 1989, with Colonel Richard Harold Graham replacing him. He was promoted to brigadier in December 1989, with seniority from June 1989. As a brigadier he commanded the 2nd Infantry Brigade at Shorncliffe, as well as held the post of deputy constable of Dover Castle in 1989. Holman retired from military service in April 1993, at which point he was appointed to the Reserve of Officers.