Despite a lack of substantial military experience, he was soon given the rank of Colonel, and then General: the 'elite', American-trained militias of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom and Khmer Serei, flown into the country after the coup, were placed under his command. The massacres of Vietnamese residents of Cambodia in the period subsequent to the coup are thought to have been carried out by the military under Lon Non's direction.
Despite lacking extensive military experience, he was swiftly elevated to the rank of Colonel and then General.  The 'elite', American-trained militias of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom and Khmer Serei, brought into Cambodia after the coup, were placed under his command. The massacres of Vietnamese people in Cambodia following the coup are thought to have been carried out by the military under Lon Non's direction.