[1] In 1683, Bruce joined the personal armed forces of Peter I, in 1695 receiving the rank of captain in the Preobrazhensky Regiment.
In this role, he served the city well, making use of the frequent absences St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Danilovich Menshikov to improve defences.
In 1708, he was sent to protect St. Petersburg and assist Admiral Fedor Matveevich Apraksin.
That autumn, he helped Apraksin's expedition to destroy the forces of Swedish general Lyubeker attempting to reverse Russian gains in Ingria.
Subsequent years until his death he devoted exclusively to life in St. Petersburg, paired with the title of chief commandant.