An opportunity arose for Kosciuszko to pursue a military career in the army of the Republic, as one of the first resolutions of the Four-Year Sejm was to raise the army to 100,000.

In October 1789, Kosciuszko received an appointment signed by the King as a major general of the crown army. It also entailed a hefty salary of 12.000 zlotys a year, which would put an end to his constant financial troubles.