In May 1919, he was drafted into the Red Army and served in the Volsky Separate Battalion. In 1920, he graduated from the regimental school of the 22nd Rifle Regiment of the Volga Military District. In April, he became the assistant chief of the Penza Food Requisition Detachment. From January 1921, he was a platoon commander in the 1st Penza Rifle Regiment of the 1st Rifle Division. He fought in the suppression of the Tambov Rebellion.