He relinquished command of United States Command, Combined Forces Command and United States Forces Korea to General Paul LaCamera on July 2, 2021 and retired soon after.[5][6]
Abrams has commanded at every level from company through divisional command. His first command was of D Company and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment. He deployed the company in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Abrams's next command assignment was at battalion level, with 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.
Later, Abrams served as the commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team (Iron Horse), 1st Cavalry Division, where he deployed to East Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II, as commanding general of Fort Irwin & the National Training Center, and most recently as commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia from 2011 to 2013, during which he served as commander of Regional Command South in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Abrams has extensive operational experience, having served as an operations officer at squadron, regimental and divisional level. Abrams has also served as an instructor, written doctrine and developed training at the United States Army Armor School, and as executive officer to the Commanding General United States Army Europe and Seventh Army.
In 2015, Abrams was assigned as Commanding General, United States Army Forces Command, which oversees all United States Army combat units in the continental United States.
On October 11, 2018, the Senate confirmed his nomination to command United States Forces Korea.[7] Abrams relinquished command of Army Forces Command to his deputy commander, Lieutenant General Laura Richardson, on October 16,[8] and assumed command of United States Forces Korea from General Vincent K. Brooks on November 7.[4]
In May 2021, Abrams was bestowed the Korean name Woo Byung-soo[a] (Korean: 우병수) by the ROK-US Alliance Friendship Association in honor of "his contributions to the alliance and defense of South Korea".[13]
His retirement ceremony was held on August 31, 2021.[14]
His military schooling includes the Armor Basic [Cavalry] and Advanced Courses, Basic Airborne Course, Ranger School [Class 5–83], the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.
Awards and decorations
Medals and awards earned by Abrams include:[15][16]