General Thompson has the unique distinction of being one of the few senior officers who has commanded thousands of troops in a major conflict since the end of World War Two. During the Falklands War of 1982, his brigade carried out the initial landings and fought the majority of the land battles to re-take the islands. His responsibilities in his last tour in the armed services, as a Major General, included commanding and training the Special Forces tasked with providing the United Kingdom’s response to maritime terrorism. This also involved giving advice on countering maritime terrorism to Cabinet ministers, senior executives in the offshore oil, gas, and shipping industries, and certain Chief Police officers. His staff appointments included Chief of Staff of 3rd Commando Brigade, Chief of Staff Commando forces, and Assistant Secretary to the UK Chiefs of Staff Committee. He is a graduate of the British Army Staff College, and later instructed there. After leaving the British armed forces in 1986, Julian has become one of the most recognized military historians in the United Kingdom after publishing many books and appearing on television. He also commands a great deal of respect from veterans of all nations around the world.