As a 13-year-old boy (1714), he entered the Prussian military service on the Kürassierregiment zu Pferd „Kronprinz“ (Cuirassier-of-Horse Regiment "Crown Prince").

Frederick II was very satisfied with his work and ordered the commanders of the three East Prussian Dragoon regiments to go to Pasewalk and learn from Schwerin.

Later, Schwerin also got the territorial administrative governorship (Amthauptmann) of the Prussian towns of Stettin and Fischhausen, which earned 10,000 thaler annual income.

On account of his conflict with Frederick II, he was never raised to the rank of baron or count, and von Schwerin remained a simple lord.

The hard-drinking rider general built a pavilion with a wine cellar, the so-called "drinking house", on a trench-guarded tower hill.