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Initially, Morihei Ueshiba did not meet the minimum height requirement for military service. Committed to his decision to serve his country, he embarked on a regime of stretching in an effort to gain the additional height required. After strenuous efforts, Morihei Ueshiba finally met the 5'2" requirements to join the military in late December 1903. He joined the 61st Army Infantry Regiment in Wakayama.

His willingness to take on hard tasks and his skill with the bayonet facilitated rapid promotions. He spent much of his active duty time training others. He spent much of his leave time in ascetic spiritual discipline or strenuous martial training. He originally did not receive orders to fight on the front during the Russo-Japanese war because his superiors considered his ability to train others a higher priority. Finally, he protested enough to receive orders to the Manchurian front in 1905. His intuition and trained reflexes allowed him to see enemy bullets and avoid them.

In 1906, he was discharged from the army and returned to Tanabe. Some say he did not reenlist due to the undisciplined practices of the officers. Others say young Morihei Ueshiba did not reenlist because he was not going to receive orders to go back into combat. Others suggest that it was his deep beliefs in spiritual matters that, after being at war, prevented his further involvement. However, although O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba did not stay in active duty, his deep connection and commitment to the military, and his patriotism, continued throughout his life. He was active in training and supporting community interests and causes. Aikido is often accepted as both a family and a cultural entity and the property of the Ueshiba family and the people of Japan.