Jarka Burian served as a volunteer in the Army from March 1946 to September 1947. He was part of the army of occupation in Germany in 1947 and achieved the rank of T/4.

Burian also served again during the Korean conflict, being called to active duty from the inactive reserve--from October 1950 to August 1951. He earned the rank of staff sergeant.

Burian joined the State College for Teachers as Assistant Professor of English in 1955 and retired in 1992 as Professor in the Department of Theatre.