Preobrazhensky Regiment
In 1731, Aleksandr Menshikov became an ensign in the Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment. He participated in the capture of Ochakov (1737) and Khotin (1739), under the leadership of Count Munnich, and in 1738 became a captain-lieutenant. In 1748 he received the rank of second-major and took part in the Prussian War. In 1757 he was made a Knight of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky and the given the rank of lieutenant-general.