He was educated at Hillside Primary School followed by Christian Brothers College, a Catholic private school run by the Irish Christian Brothers, in Bulawayo. After matriculation, rather than do conscripted military service (as was required of all white male Rhodesians at the time) he successfully applied and was accepted to join the BSAP and served from October 1977 to Jan 1978. He left the BSAP by purchasing the remaining balance of his initial 3 year contract. He did general duties in Mashonaland, Matabeleland South, and Victoria provinces (Victoria became Masvingo province in 1980).