In 1873 Okulič-Kazarinas began military service in the third infantry regiment of the Imperial Russian Army's 28th Infantry Division. Soon he was sent to be educated in the infantry junkers school in Riga for two years. After finishing it in 1875, he returned to his regiment. In 1878 he was promoted to lieutenant and was made commander of his company. He was promoted to Stabs-kapitan in 1888.
In 1902 he studied at the officer jäger school, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. During 1903–1904, he was chairman of the regimental court. In 1904, he served in the 159th Gurian Infantry Regiment [ru] as the commander of its 3rd Battalion. In 1905, he was appointed as the regiment's commander and sent to Manchuria with the regiment. In 1906, he was transferred to the 3rd Don Infantry Regiment and was appointed commander of its 4th Battalion. In 1911, he was made colonel. In 1912 he was promoted to major general and released to reserve.
