[3] In 1990/1991, he was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Granby (the British effort during the First Gulf War).

[8] In 1999, during the Kosovo War, he was deployed to Macedonia where he was tasked with building and maintaining the refugee camps.

He spent roughly $150 million trying to regenerate the economy and deliver governance, infrastructure and security to the region.

[10] On 30 November 2011, he was promoted to major general and appointed Assistant Chief of Defence Staff.

[1][12] On 4 December 2015, he awarded the Ebola Medal for Service in West Africa to a group of military medics in York; it was his last engagement as DGAMS before retiring from the army.

[14] In November 1999, Rowan was appointed an Officer of the Venerable Order of St John (OStJ).