[3] After graduating from the military school of officers with the rank of second lieutenant, Cocorăscu held various positions in the infantry units or in the upper echelons of the army, the most important being the commander of the 40th Infantry Regiment and head of Section 1 of the General Staff.

[7] At the mobilization of the army at the beginning of World War I, Cocorăscu was recalled to active duty, fulfilling the functions of commander of the 21st Infantry Brigade from 14 to 27 August and 6 to 19 September 1916, and he was commander of the 11th Infantry Division from 6 to 19 September and 25 November to 8 December 1916.

He distinguished himself during the First Battle of the Jiu Valley in 1916, after which he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general.

[3] Following the Battle for Bucharest, he was accused of non-execution of orders.

He was later acquitted of the charge, being permanently placed in reserve in January 1917.