In July 1971, after the ending of his conscript military service, he decided to stay in armed forces as a volunteer and served until his discharge in September 2004.

After graduating three years later, Kvashnin became chief of staff of the 360th Tank Regiment of the 18th Guards Motor Rifle Division in June 1976, stationed in Czechoslovakia under the Central Group of Forces.

He steadily rose to higher positions in Czechoslovakia, becoming regimental commander of the 360th in August 1978 and chief of staff of the 31st Tank Division of the group in February 1981.

Kvashnin was promoted to command the 78th Tank Division of the Central Asian Military District in July 1982, and in 1987 was sent to the Soviet General Staff Academy for advanced studies.

In August 1992, he became deputy chief of the Main Operative Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

Since February 1993, Kvashnin was first deputy chief of the Main Operative Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

[3] As Chief of the Russian General Staff he had some success in reforming the command structure for the strategic deterrent forces, but feuded with Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov and many of his subordinates.