He joined service on September 1, 1896, served in the 2nd Caucasian Sapper and 4th Railway Battalions.

The censored command of the company served from November 8, 1905 to December 14, 1906 in the Life Guards of the St. Petersburg Regiment.

On January 10, 1907 he was promoted to the assistant to the senior adjutant of the headquarters of the Irkutsk Military District.

On March 27, 1911 he was promoted to the assistant to the senior adjutant of the headquarters of the Vilno Military District.

From October 1918 to June 1919 he became Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic, practically the supreme army commander.

Since May 22, 1920 - full-time teacher of statistics and geography of the Military Academy of the Red Army.