Degoutte joined the 31st Artillery Regiment on 7 March 1887 and then attended Saint Cyr where he graduated 9th out of 435. After graduating he joined a Zouave unit in Tunisia. In 1895 his request to join the French expedition to Madagascar was denied, resulting in him taking a three-month leave. During that leave he accompanied a group of Jesuits that traveled to Madagascar on a civilian steamer. Arriving there amidst the landing of the French expeditionary forces, he was arrested by General Dechesnes, but Colonel Bailloud was able to persuade his senior officers to release Degoutte and utilise his language skills.