As a second lieutenant, Staabs was transferred from the cadet corps to the 62nd (3rd Upper Silesian) Infantry Regiment of the Imperial German Army on April 14, 1877.

From October 1, 1879, to January 31, 1884, he served there as battalion adjutant and was then transferred to the 59th (4th Posen) Infantry Regiment.

On June 16, 1913, Staabs was raised to the hereditary Prussian nobility on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II.

His troops fought in the breakthrough Battle at Przasnysz in July 1915 and then pursued to the lower Narew.

In September they advanced to Wolkowysk ago and went from 20 October between Naroch and Dryswjatysee for years of trench warfare until it was over.

[5] As part of the 9th Army under the command of Erich von Falkenhayn, his troops distinguished themselves especially in the Battle of Kronstadt in early October.