In 2003, when undergoing military training at PULADA, His Royal Highness took up the Young Officer Course for four months and His Royal Highness participated in ‘Pigeon Operation’ with the 7 Brigade. Among the courses His Royal Highness underwent at PULADA were:
- Guerrilla warfare
- Conventional warfare
- Urban warfare,
- NBC (Nuclear Biology Chemical)
- and many more.
After completing the courses, His Royal Highness continued the training at the India Military Academy (IMA) for 3 years. Some of the courses undergone at that time were:
- Leadership
- Single Service Operation
- Military Appreciation Proces (MAP),
- Military History,
- Weapon
- Physical Training
- Platoon Commander Course
- Company Commander Course
- Battalion Commander Course
- and other basic military knowledge.
After completing the courses at the IMA, His Royal Highness went to 61 Calvary in New Delhi, India. His Royal Highness was exposed to training and real operations at the Pakistan-India border. Besides the military, His Royal Highness also achieved recognition in sports such as winning the International Polo tournament in India.
The late Sultan Iskandar appointed His Royal Highness as one of the officers of the Johor Military Force (JMF). His Royal Highness then formulated the idea of forming an elite team within the JMF called the JMF Elite Forces. The elite squad’s purpose is to provide the best protection for the Johor royal family and state of Johor in any circumstances. To realize the dream, a formation course was held for the elite team in June 2008 involving 21 men including His Royal Highness himself to master several expertise at the Iskandar Camp in Mersing. Several challenges in terms of mental, physical and Special Force expertise included;
- Close Quarters Battle (CQB)
- Sniper
- VIP Escort
- Communication
- Explosive Basics
- Hand-to-Hand Combat
- Advanced driving
- Advanced shooting
- Ambush
- Hijacking
- Guerilla Warfare
HRH Tunku Ismail was the first foreigner to lead a unite of the Indian Army on the Indian Republic Day. On January 26th 2007, ranked Lieutenant in the Indian Army, His Royal Highness led a cavalry of Jaipur-based 61 Cavalry Regiment to salute Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of India, during the Republic Day celebration. The President himself picked HRH Tunku Ismail to lead the 400-men unit for the ceremonial horse-mounted cavalry for the very first time. At the end of 2007, His Royal Highness ended his service at 61 Cavalry and returned to Johor.
In these courses, His Royal Highness was named the best in the Sharpshooter category. His Royal Highness then took up a static line parachuting course at the Pulpak camp in Malacca for one and a half months. After completing the course, His Royal Highness returned to Johor and served as a General Staff Officer 1 ranked Major. Now HRH Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Crown Prince of Johor, is the JMF chief of staff with a Brigadier General rank.
