At age 16 (July 21, 1777) he began serving as a sergeant. In 1783, Melissino was promoted to captain of the artillery. In 1789 he was transferred to 1st Hussar Sumy Regiment with the rank of lieutenant colonel and took part in the Turkish War with the regiment. For distinction in the Siege of Izmail, on the proposal of Alexander Suvorov, he was awarded the Order of St. George 4th degree. When he was with the regiment in Novorossiya, Melissino laid the foundation for the horse plants in this region and oversaw the improvement of horse breeds, ordering horses from England, Turkey and Arabia.