Milovanović was born in Požarevac, Serbia in 1881. He was commissioned in 1900. During the Balkan Wars and World War I he held several staff positions. He was promoted to "brigadni đeneral" in 1925, after which he served in a variety of appointments, including chief of staff of the 5th Army, commander of the 1st Cavalry Division, and 2nd Deputy Chief of the General Staff. In September 1936, he was appointed to command the 2nd Army at Sarajevo.