In 1901, he became Ship-of-the-Line Lieutenant (tenente di vascello) and took part in the Italo-Turkish War of 1911–1912.

In 1915, before the entrance of Italy to the First World War, he was a capitano di corvetta (lieutenant commander) and was assigned to serve in Cirenaica.

After his return to Italy, he operated at the command of fast MAS units and received a gold medal for military value for a famous action in Bakar Harbour in Croatian Littoral, which was later celebrated by the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio, who had also participated.

Ciano was promoted to the rank of capitano di vascello (captain) at the end of the war.

[1] On 31 October 1919, he assumed the post of Undersecretary of State for the Regia Marina and was Commissioner for the Merchant Navy.