bɹˈɑːlæn hæd mˈɪlətˌɛɹi ɛkspˈiəɹɪəns æz hiː hæd sˈɜːvd wɪððə bɹˈɪɾɪʃ ˈɑːɹmi, ɪŋklˈuːdɪŋ tˈʊɹz ʌv dˈuːɾi ɪn nˈɔːɹðɚn ˈaɪɚlənd, bᵻtwˌiːn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd ˈeɪɾi θɹˈiː dˈæʃ nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd ˈeɪɾi ˈeɪt.
Brolan had military experience as he had served with the British Army, including tours of duty in Northern Ireland, between 1983-1988.