His active service during World War II occurred in Burma, Iran and Iraq, following which he spent some time at the Staff College in Quetta.

He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in late 1947, becoming GSO1 in the Engineer-in-Chief Branch from October 1947 to February 1948, before being put in charge of the regimental centre of the Bengal Sappers in Roorkee.

[1] Jawaharlal Nehru visited the Roorkee centre in 1949 and was so impressed that he asked for Dhillon to command the first Republic Day Parade held in Delhi in 1950.

In August 1960, he was given command of a division, and then he became Deputy Chief of General Staff at Army headquarters when he was promoted to GOC, XI corps in Punjab.

Jogi Dhillon is an enthusiastic, intelligent soldier with a physical vigour, drive and combativeness which enable him to be extraordinarily mobile over his wide command and an inspiring presence and example to his officers and men.