If you are a number uno in the militarys fighting force, then you're pretty much the strongest and possibly the most dangerous person in the whole country. Basically our mc could be the king of that country/nation, if it were a country where the strong ruled over the weak.
(Ofc it's possible that there are also really strong civilians, but I don't see them being a threat for a possible army fugitive, if he decided not to "play ball" anymore)
Also by the logic of him having done 10 years in the military, and being ranked 1st, would only make you assume that he would carry a very high rank in the army. Possibly even a general, or something of that caliber.
I just find it very conflicting for (literally) the strongest person being a servant for the weak. He should just grow balls and show middle finger to the army, and say that he'll kill anybody who tries to pursuit him and do what interests him. If not that, then at least he should be in the position to make the demands and terms, and not the other way around.