In 1993, Serdyukov graduated from the Frunze Military Academy. He became deputy commander of a regiment in the 76th Guards Airborne Division. Serdyukov fought in the First Chechen War. In 1995 he took command of the 237th Guards Airborne Regiment in the division. Between 1997 and 1998 he was chief of staff, deputy commander, and commander of the 104th Guards Airborne Regiment in the division. He was later deputy commander of the division. Serdyukov was a deputy brigade commander of Russian units in Kosovo. In Kosovo, he participated in the Incident at Pristina airport, a standoff between the Russian troops and NATO peacekeeping forces.