Esteves served as a 2nd lieutenant in the 8th Infantry Brigade of the U.S. Army under the command of General Pershing, when he was sent to El Paso, Texas during the "Pancho Villa Incident". During the onset of the Battle of Columbus in June 1916, Esteves was promoted to first lieutenant. He was given charge of infantry units and assigned to protect bridges. From El Paso, he was sent to the town of Polvo, Mexico. After being transferred to the town of Polvo, the population named him mayor and judge during his stay.