Babbitt graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1884 and was commissioned a second lieutenant. He served as a brigade commander during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and the Battle of Saint-Mihiel during World War I. Awards he received include the Army Distinguished Service Medal for "exceptionally meritorious and conspicuous services" in World War I; Officer, Legion d'Honour (France); Comendator, Order of the Sun of Peru (Peru) and Order of Abdon Calderón, First Class (Ecuador). He retired in 1924.