He then occupied a number of military posts in Afghanistan: in charge of the cavalry at Kabul from 1946 to 1954; in Jalalabad from 1954 to 1956; and serving as chief of staff at Mazar-i-Sharif from 1958 to 1960, at Pul-i-Khumri from 1960 to 1964, and at Gardez from 1964 to 1966.

He backed Daoud Khan while in retirement and was active in organizing political support for him, even convincing General Mohammad Nabi Azimi to become involved in the 1973 Afghan coup d'état.

[2][3] Rasuli’s appointment to the Minister of Defense by Daoud Khan, after the 1973 coup d'état, would cause resentment among other high-ranking and educated military officers.

The Defence Minister Hayder Rassuli replied: “I am aware of it and the preparations will be carried out.”Rasuli finally arrived in Rishkhor, late at night, as he attempted to get the 7th Infantry Division involved in the defense against the revolutionaries.

In reality, Rasuli's attempts were futile as none of the soldiers on the defending side were prepared for aerial bombardments being conducted by revolutionaries within the Afghan Air Force, more specifically Abdul Qadir.