Pedzisa mutsara unotevera: Gowon akabatana neNigerian Army muna 1954, uye akagamuchira basa rake sechipiri lieutenant musi wa19 Gumiguru 1955, zuva rake rekuzvarwa rechi21. Akadzidziswa muRoyal Military Academy Sandhurst, UK (1955<unk>56), Staff College, Camberley, UK (1962) pamwe neJoint Staff College, Latimer, 1965. Akaona chiito mu
Congo sechikamu cheUnited Nations Peacekeeping Force, zvose muna 1960<unk>61 uye muna 1963. Akakwidziridzwa kuva mutungamiri webato muna 1966, panguva iyoyo akanga achiri lieutenant colonel.