Starting from 2003, while undergoing military training in PULADA, DYAM Tunku Mahkota Johor (HRH Crown Price of Johor) attended the Young Officer Course for four months and He participated in Operation Merpati with 7 Brigade. Among the courses His Majesty underwent at PULADA were:

– Guerrilla Warfare
– Open war
– War in the city,
– NBC (Nuclear Biology Chemical)
– and many more.

After completing the course, he continued his training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) for 3 years. Among the courses participated at that time were:

– Leadership
– Single Service Operation
– Military Appreciation Process (MAP)
– Military History
– Weapons
– Physical Training
– Platoon Commander Course
– Company Commander Course
– Battalion Commander Course

After completing the course at IMA, he continued his career at 61 Calvary in Jaipur, India.  His Majesty was exposed to training and actual operations on the Pakistan-India border.  In addition to the military field, His Majesty also experienced success in the field of sports, including winning the International Polo match in India.

DYAM Tunku Ismail was the first foreigner to lead an Indian Army unit on the Republic Day Parade of India.

On 26 January 2007, with the rank of Lieutenant in the Indian Army, he led the vanguard based at the 61st Cavalry Regiment, Jaipur to salute the President of India, Dr.  A.P.J.  Abdul Kalam during the Republic Day celebrations.

The President himself has chosen DYAM Tunku Ismail to lead a unit consisting of 400 soldiers which was held for the first time for the equestrian ceremony.  At the end of 2007, he finished his service at 61 Calvary.  Then His Majesty returned to Johor.

The late Sultan Iskandar was pleased to appoint his Majesty as one of the officers in the Johor Military Force (JMF).

His Majesty then sparked the inspiration to establish an elite force in the JMF which was named the Elite Forces JMF.

This elite force aims to provide the best personal security protection to the Sultanate of Johor and the State Government of Johor in any situation.

In order to realize His Majesty’s wishes, the elite team establishment course was implemented in June 2008 involving 21 members including His Majesty himself to learn various specialist knowledge at Kem Iskandar, Mersing Johor.

Various challenges in terms of mental, physical and Special Movement expertise such as;

– Close Quarter Battle (CQB)
– Sniper
– Escort of Dignitaries
– Communication
– Basic Explosives
– Unarmed Combat (TTS)
– Advance driving
– Advance shooting
– Ambush
– Hijacking
– Guerrilla Warfare

In this course, His Majesty was crowned as the best student in the Marksmanship category.  More uniquely, His Majesty was commissioned to be a trainer in the Close Quater Battle (CQB) course.

His Majesty then underwent a static parachute basic course at the PULPAK camp, Melaka for a month and a half.  Immediately after the course, he returned to the state of Johor and served for the JMF as Staff Officer 1 with the rank of Major.

Now DYAM Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Mahkota Johor is a JMF commanding officer with the rank of Major General.