In 1734, Diego Ortiz Parrilla began his military service as an alférez in a dragoon regiment stationed in Almanza. There are conflicting accounts of his early years in the service, and it has been suggested that Parrilla either began his career fighting "the Moors" or was immediately sent off to serve in Cuba. Parrilla served in Cuba until 1746 when his superior officer, Don Juan Francisco de Güemes, 1st Count of Revillagigedo, was appointed Viceroy of New Spain and brought key military officers (including Parrilla) with him to Mexico City. Parrilla served as a dragoon captain at the presidio in Veracruz, and in January 1747 led a Spanish military action to suppress a Native revolt in Puebla de los Angeles. In June 1747, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
