Petraeus was the son of Dutch American parents. After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy (United States Military Academy) at West Point, N.Y., in 1974, he was commissioned into the infantry as a second lieutenant. Later, as a captain, he spent two years at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, where he earned a Master of Public Administration degree in 1985 and a doctorate in 1987 in international relations. In his doctoral dissertation, Petraeus dealt with the lessons learned by the United States in the Vietnam War and contended that the U.S. failure in Vietnam left the United States reluctant to use military force in other conflicts. In 1991 Petraeus was nearly killed after being accidentally shot in the chest with an M16 rifle by a soldier who tripped during a training exercise; he required nearly five hours of surgery.

Among his many staff and command appointments, Petraeus served as chief operations officer (1995) for the United Nations mission to help establish democracy in Haiti and as assistant chief of staff for operations (2001–02) for the multinational Stabilization Force sent by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to enforce a cease-fire in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He first led troops into battle as commander of the 101st Airborne Division during the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 (see Iraq War). Following the end of major combat operations, the division was responsible for the northern city of Mosul. In addition to maintaining security, the division was charged with rebuilding the local economy and establishing democratic institutions in the city. In June 2004 Petraeus was chosen to head both the Multi-National Security Transition Command—Iraq and the NATO Training Mission—Iraq. In the latter role he was responsible for organizing and training Iraqi military and police forces. In October 2005 Petraeus was appointed to head the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., home to several army training schools. While at Leavenworth, he coauthored the army's new official manual on counterinsurgency warfare.

Petraeus's honours included the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal, two awards of the Defense Superior Service Medal, four awards of the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star Medal with “V device” (given for valour).