# Robert B. Abrams

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US Army general

For the New York Attorney General, see [Robert Abrams](/source/Robert_Abrams).

Robert B. Abrams Official portrait, 2018 Nickname Abe Born (1960-11-18) November 18, 1960 (age 65)[1] West Germany (present-day Germany) Allegiance United States Branch United States Army Service years 1982–2021 Rank General Commands United Nations Command United States Forces Korea Combined Forces Command United States Army Forces Command 3rd Infantry Division Fort Irwin National Training Center 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment Conflicts Gulf War Iraq War War in Afghanistan Awards Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2) Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (6) Bronze Star Medal (4) Spouse Connie C. Clevenger ​ (m. 1992)​ [2] Relations General Creighton W. Abrams Jr. (father) Brigadier General Creighton W. Abrams III (brother) General John N. Abrams (brother)

**Robert Bruce Abrams** (born 18 November 1960) is a retired four-star [general](/source/General_(United_States)) in the [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army) who last served as the commander of [United States Forces Korea](/source/United_States_Forces_Korea).[3] He concurrently served as the commander of [United Nations Command](/source/United_Nations_Command) and commander of [R.O.K.-U.S. Combined Forces Command](/source/ROK%2FUS_Combined_Forces_Command). He previously served as the 22nd commanding general of [United States Army Forces Command](/source/United_States_Army_Forces_Command) from 10 August 2015 to 17 October 2018. He was a 1982 graduate of the [United States Military Academy](/source/United_States_Military_Academy) where he was commissioned as an armor officer. During his years of active service, he has held command and staff positions across the Army and joint community in Germany, the United States, [Southwest Asia](/source/West_Asia) and South Korea. Abrams comes from a family of career military officers. His father was former [Army Chief of Staff](/source/Chief_of_Staff_of_the_United_States_Army) General [Creighton W. Abrams Jr.](/source/Creighton_Abrams), and both of his elder brothers, Creighton and [John](/source/John_N._Abrams), were Army [general officers](/source/General_officer).[4]

He relinquished command of United States Command, Combined Forces Command and United States Forces Korea to General [Paul LaCamera](/source/Paul_LaCamera) on 2 July 2021 and retired soon after.[5][6]

## Assignments

Abrams (left) with US Secretary of Defense [Mark Esper](/source/Mark_Esper) in 2019

Abrams' tours of duty with war-fighting units include the [3rd Armored Division](/source/3rd_Armored_Division_(United_States)) as a [lieutenant](/source/Lieutenant); the [1st Cavalry Division](/source/1st_Cavalry_Division_(United_States)) as a [captain](/source/Captain_(United_States)), and as a [major](/source/Major_(United_States)) in the [3rd Cavalry Regiment (United States)](/source/3rd_Cavalry_Regiment_(United_States)), as a [lieutenant colonel](/source/Lieutenant_colonel_(United_States)) (including battalion command and as the Division G3) and [colonel](/source/Colonel_(United_States)) (including command of a brigade combat team and as the division chief of staff). His joint experience includes serving as a Strategic War Planner for the [Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff](/source/Chairman_of_the_Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff) with responsibility for the [United States Central Command](/source/United_States_Central_Command)'s Area of Operations; and as the Director of the Joint Center of Excellence for IED Defeat, a subordinate of the [Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Organization](/source/Joint_Improvised-Threat_Defeat_Organization) (JIDA).

## Commands

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](/source/8th_Cavalry_Regiment). He deployed the company in support of Operations [Desert Shield](/source/Gulf_War) and [Desert Storm](/source/Gulf_War). 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](/source/Baghdad) in support of [Operation Iraqi Freedom II](/source/2004_in_Iraq), as commanding general of [Fort Irwin & the National Training Center](/source/Fort_Irwin_National_Training_Center), and most recently as commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division at [Fort Stewart](/source/Fort_Stewart), Georgia from 2011 to 2013, during which he served as commander of Regional Command South in [Kandahar](/source/Kandahar).

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](/source/United_States_Army_Armor_School), and as executive officer to the Commanding General [United States Army Europe and Africa](/source/United_States_Army_Europe_and_Africa) and [Seventh Army](/source/United_States_Army_Europe_and_Africa).

Abrams's [general officer](/source/General_officer) assignments also include service as the Deputy Commanding General, [Combined Arms Center-Training](/source/United_States_Army_Combined_Arms_Command), [Fort Leavenworth](/source/Fort_Leavenworth) and the commander of the [Fort Irwin National Training Center](/source/Fort_Irwin_National_Training_Center) at [Fort Irwin National Training Center](/source/Fort_Irwin_National_Training_Center).

In 2015, Abrams was assigned as Commanding General, [United States Army Forces Command](/source/United_States_Army_Forces_Command), which oversees all United States Army combat units in the continental United States.

On 11 October 2018, the [Senate](/source/United_States_Senate) confirmed his nomination to command [United States Forces Korea](/source/United_States_Forces_Korea).[7] Abrams relinquished command of Army Forces Command to his deputy commander, Lieutenant General [Laura Richardson](/source/Laura_J._Richardson), on 16 October,[8] and assumed command of United States Forces Korea from General [Vincent K. Brooks](/source/Vincent_K._Brooks) on 7 November.[4]

In 2020, Abrams was among the candidates shortlisted to replace Admiral [Philip S. Davidson](/source/Philip_S._Davidson) as the commander of [United States Indo-Pacific Command](/source/United_States_Indo-Pacific_Command),[9] but Admiral [John C. Aquilino](/source/John_C._Aquilino) was nominated instead.[10][11][12]

In May 2021, Abrams was bestowed the Korean name Woo Byung-soo[a] ([Korean](/source/Korean_language): 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 31 August 2021.[14]

## Education

Abrams gives farewell remarks during the United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and U.S. Forces Korea change of command ceremony on 2 July 2021 at Barker Field.

Abrams holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the [United States Military Academy](/source/United_States_Military_Academy), a Master of Science in Administration from [Central Michigan University](/source/Central_Michigan_University), and a master's degree in Strategic Studies from the [United States Army War College](/source/United_States_Army_War_College).

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 [United States Army Command and General Staff College](/source/United_States_Army_Command_and_General_Staff_College), and the [Army War College](/source/United_States_Army_War_College).

## Awards and decorations

Medals and awards earned by Abrams include:[15][16]

[Combat Action Badge](/source/Combat_Action_Badge)

Personal Awards

Defense Distinguished Service Medal w/ bronze oak leaf cluster[17] Army Distinguished Service Medal w/ bronze oak leaf cluster

Legion of Merit w/ one silver oak leaf cluster Bronze Star Medal w/ three bronze oak leaf clusters Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal w/ two oak leaf clusters Commendation Medal Commendation Medal w/ three oak leaf clusters Achievement Medal w/ two oak leaf clusters National Defense Service Medal w/ one bronze service star Southwest Asia Service Medal w/ three bronze campaign stars Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ one campaign star Iraq Campaign Medal w/ two campaign stars Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Army Service Ribbon Army Overseas Service Ribbon w/ bronze award numeral 4 NATO Medal for Service with ISAF Order of National Security Merit (1st Grade)[18] Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Unit Awards

Joint Meritorious Unit Award w/ 4 oak leaf clusters Valorous Unit Award Meritorious Unit Commendation

Identification and service badges 8th Cavalry Regiment Distinctive unit insignia Basic Parachutist Badge Ranger tab 1st Cavalry Division Combat Service Identification Badge[19] Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge Joint Chiefs of Staff

United Nations Command Badge[19] 4 Overseas Service Bars

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** In this [Korean name](/source/Korean_name), the family name is *[Woo](/source/Woo_(Korean_surname))*.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Register of Graduates and Former Cadets of the United States Military Academy"](https://books.google.com/books?id=xXreAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Robert+Bruce+Abrams%22). Association of Graduates, USMA. 18 July 1991 – via Google Books.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** *Kentucky, U.S., Marriage Index, 1973-1999*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Commander UNC/CFC/USFK - Gen. Robert B. Abrams"](https://www.usfk.mil/Leadership/Article-View/Article/1685489/commander-unccfcusfk/). *www.usfk.mil*. Retrieved 22 December 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_4-1) Gamel, Kim (7 November 2018). ["Abrams takes command of USFK amid nuclear talks with North Korea"](https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/abrams-takes-command-of-usfk-amid-nuclear-talks-with-north-korea-1.555679). *Stars and Stripes*. Retrieved 22 December 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["WEBCAST: USFK CHANGE OF COMMAND"](https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/26398). *DVIDS*. Retrieved 28 June 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Oh Seok-min; Choi Soo-hyang (2 July 2021). ["Gen. LaCamera takes office as new U.S. Forces Korea chief"](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20210702005600325). *Yonhap News Agency*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_7-0)** Kheel, Rebecca (12 October 2017). ["U.S. commanders for troops in South Korea, South America confirmed by Senate"](https://thehill.com/policy/defense/411115-commanders-for-troops-in-korea-south-america-confirmed). *[The Hill](/source/The_Hill_(newspaper))*. Retrieved 13 October 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Meinhardt, Eve (17 October 2018). ["Abrams relinquishes command of FORSCOM"](https://www.army.mil/article/212549/abrams_relinquishes_command_of_forscom). *www.army.mil*. Retrieved 22 December 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** LaGrone, Sam (3 December 2020). ["PACFLT Commander Aquilino Formally Nominated to Lead INDO-PACOM"](https://news.usni.org/2020/12/03/pacflt-commander-aquilino-formally-nominated-to-lead-indo-pacom). *[United States Naval Institute](/source/United_States_Naval_Institute)*. Retrieved 7 December 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Lubold, Gordon; Youssef, Nancy A. (30 November 2020). ["Trump Expected to Name New Indo-Pacific Command Head"](https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-expected-to-name-new-indo-pacific-command-head-11606753476). *[The Wall Street Journal](/source/The_Wall_Street_Journal)*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0099-9660](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0099-9660). Retrieved 1 December 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Flag Officer Announcement"](https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2434629/flag-officer-announcement/). *U.S. Department of Defense*. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["PN2393 - Adm. John C. Aquilino - Navy, 116th Congress (2019-2020)"](https://www.congress.gov/nomination/116th-congress/2393). *www.congress.gov*. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["US Forces Korea commander to receive Korean name at farewell event"](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2021/05/205_308364.html). *The Korea Times*. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["WEBCAST: SPECIAL RETIREMENT REVIEW IN HONOR OF GENERAL ROBERT ABRAMS"](https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/26727). *DVIDS*. Retrieved 26 August 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["BG Abrams Bio"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111004192945/https://www.jieddo.dod.mil/content/docs/20100926_bio_Abrams.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](https://www.jieddo.dod.mil/content/docs/20100926_bio_Abrams.pdf) (PDF) on 4 October 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["BG Abrams bio on DoD"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121015061534/http://www.defense.gov/dodcmsshare/BloggerAssets/2008-12/12180810205520081217_BGAbrams_bio.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://www.defense.gov/dodcmsshare/BloggerAssets/2008-12/12180810205520081217_BGAbrams_bio.pdf) (PDF) on 15 October 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["UNC / CFC / USFK Change of Command"](https://www.flickr.com/photos/unc-cfc-usfk/51283505492/in/album-72157719485570114/). *Flickr*. 2 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Nam Hyun-woo (1 July 2021). ["President honors outgoing USFK commander for his service"](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2021/07/113_311458.html). *The Korea Times*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-USFK_Change_of_Command_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-USFK_Change_of_Command_20-1) ["USFK Change of Command"](https://mobile.twitter.com/thejointstaff/status/1060590477353893888/photo/4). DoD.

## External links

- [Appearances](https://www.c-span.org/person/?69320) on [C-SPAN](/source/C-SPAN)

Military offices Preceded by Dana J. H. Pittard Commanding General of the Fort Irwin National Training Center 2009-2011 Succeeded by Terry R. Ferrell Preceded by Tony Cucolo Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division 2011–2013 Succeeded by John M. Murray Preceded by Thomas D. Waldhauser Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense 2013–2015 Succeeded by Ronald F. Lewis Preceded by Mark A. Milley Commanding General of United States Army Forces Command 2015–2018 Succeeded by Michael X. Garrett Preceded by Vincent K. Brooks Commander of United Nations Command Commander of United States Forces Korea Commander of ROK/US Combined Forces Command 2018–2021 Succeeded by Paul LaCamera

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Robert B. Abrams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_B._Abrams) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_B._Abrams?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.