After finishing the local school and the gymnasium at Lamia, he entered the Hellenic Military Academy in 1937, graduating in 1940 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant of Artillery.

He took part in the Greco-Italian War and the Battle of Greece, following which he served in the armed forces of the Greek government in exile.

Following the war, he completed his studies at the Greek Artillery School at Megalo Pefko, where he also served as an instructor in later years.

By 1973 however, the rate of development had begun falling, and the widespread corruption and financial scandals, as well as political stagnation, resulted in a drop in the regime's popularity.

When Papadopoulos attempted to slowly democratize the regime in 1973, appointing the civilian Spyros Markezinis as Prime Minister, Makarezos was dropped from his government role.