Returning to the East Coast after this operation, the destroyer continued to carry out training maneuvers until the United States entered World War I in April 1917.

The ship was assigned patrol in Delaware Bay in April 1917 and remained on that duty until sailing from New York on 8 August as an escort for five troopships bound for France.

After returning from Europe, Jouett resumed patrolling until she arrived at New London, Connecticut, on 15 January 1918 for experimentation with antisubmarine detection devices.

Completing this duty on 4 June, the ship operated until the armistice with a special anti-submarine group along the East Coast of the United States.

Following the war, Jouett conducted training exercises and fleet maneuvers until entering Philadelphia Navy Yard on 20 July 1919.