In 1793, Romana entered the army as a cavalry colonel and fought against France in the War of the First Coalition. Initially he served under his uncle, General Ventura Caro, where he was promoted after distinguishing himself as a competent commander. Although the war ended poorly for Spain under French occupation, he ended the war as a "teniente-general". He was made Captain General of Catalonia in 1802 and Chief of the Engineering Corps in 1805.