He enlisted in the Australian Army in February 1952, embarking on a distinguished military career that spanned more than 25 years. Rising to the rank of Warrant Officer Class One, he served with distinction, including operational service in Vietnam as a member of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, attached to the 7th Armoured Cavalry Squadron of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. His military career concluded in June 1977, but his commitment to service was far from over.