As a 13-year-old boy (1714), he entered the Prussian military service on the "Kürassierregiment zu Pferd „Kronprinz“" (Cuirassier-of-Horse Regiment "Crown Prince"). At the beginning of the First Silesian War Schwerin was already Lieutenant-Colonel and Commander of the "Markgräflich Bayreutschen Dragoonsregiment" ("Margraviate of Bayreuth's Dragoon Regiment"). Both his regiment and himself, however, did not gain any laurels in the battles at Mollwitz in 1741 and Chotusitz in 1742: the latter was particularly painful, when his regiment was dispersed by the enemy cavalry before the advance. In addition, he was seriously wounded and captured by the Austrians. Frederick the Great then decreed the royal disgrace of his cavalry.