As a member of the RAF top brass, Sir Clive Loader was in charge of 31,000 personnel and a budget of more than £2.6 billion.
His career as a young frontline Harrier pilot saw him fly missions over Belize, the Falklands, Iraq and the Balkans.
Now, as police and crime commissioner, he is jointly responsible for the safety and well-being of almost one million people across Leicestershire and Rutland.
Throughout the campaign which ended in his victory yesterday, Sir Clive and his two rivals anticipated a low turnout.
And, in the event, just 16 per cent of those eligible to vote did so.
On several occasions in the past few months, Sir Clive said that if only six people voted but four had chosen him, then he would take on the job with as much "gusto and enthusiasm" as he would with a much higher turnout. Sir Clive, a married father-of-three who lives in Wing, Rutland, said: "I hope people will look at what I and other police and crime commissioners do over the next few years and understand what this new role can do for them.
"Once it has become ingrained in the national psyche because people have seen how effective we can be on their behalf, then I think we will see more people voting in future elections.
"As soon as I begin, I will sit down with the chief constable and start to form the relationship with him which will be critical to the success of this post. Then we will get down to business."
He added: "I will have to write a crime and policing plan which addresses the needs and concerns of people here in Leicestershire and Rutland.
"I have spent hundreds of hours talking to thousands of people and listening to their concerns, and I will reflect that.
"I will then have to ensure that the policing plan fits within the available budget.
"I will continue to listen to people and take advice and I will do my best to make decisions which are transparent and well-informed."
The commissioner, who has the power to hire and fire senior officers, will earn a salary of £70,000 and will be based at force headquarters in Enderby.
He will be supported by the staff who previously worked for Leicestershire Police Authority and be held to account by a police and crime panel made up of councillors.
Chief constable, Simon Cole, will remain responsible for operational matters.
