Robert B. Abrams
Encyclopedia
Major General Robert B. “Abe” Abrams is the Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division. He is a 1982 graduate of the United States Military Academy
where he was commissioned as an Armor officer. During his 29 years of service he has served in command and staff positions across the Army and Joint Community in Germany, the United States and Southwest Asia.
; the First Cavalry Division as a Captain, Lieutenant Colonel
(including Battalion Command and as the Division G3) and Colonel
(including Command of a Brigade Combat Team and as the Division Chief of Staff); and as a Major
in the Third Armored Cavalry Regiment. His joint experience includes serving as a Strategic War Planner for the CJCS
with responsibility for the CENTCOM Area of Operations; and as the Director of the Joint Center of Excellence for IED Defeat, a subordinate of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization
(JIEDDO).
; and most recently as the Commanding General of Fort Irwin & the National Training Center (NTC). He has extensive operational experience having served as an Operations Officer at Squadron, Regimental and Division level. Major General Abrams has also served as an instructor, doctrine writer and training developer at the US Army Armor School
, and as the Executive Officer to the Commanding General US Army Europe and 7th Army.
His General Officer assignments include service as the Deputy Commanding General, Combined Arms Center-Training
, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.He was chosen as the "Nepotist of the Year" officer in 1982, 83, and 84...
; a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University
; and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. His military schooling includes the Armor Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the US Army Command and General Staff College, and the US Army War College.
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
where he was commissioned as an Armor officer. During his 29 years of service he has served in command and staff positions across the Army and Joint Community in Germany, the United States and Southwest Asia.
Assignments
His tours of duty with warfighting units include the Third Armored Division as a LieutenantLieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
; the First Cavalry Division as a Captain, Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
(including Battalion Command and as the Division G3) and Colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
(including Command of a Brigade Combat Team and as the Division Chief of Staff); and as a Major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
in the Third Armored Cavalry Regiment. His joint experience includes serving as a Strategic War Planner for the CJCS
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is by law the highest ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces, and is the principal military adviser to the President of the United States, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council and the Secretary of Defense...
with responsibility for the CENTCOM Area of Operations; and as the Director of the Joint Center of Excellence for IED Defeat, a subordinate of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization
Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization
The Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization is a joint entity and jointly manned activity of the U.S. Department of Defense established to reduce or eliminate the effects of all forms of improvised explosive devices used against U.S...
(JIEDDO).
Commands
Major General Abrams has commanded at every level from Company thru 1 star Command including command of D Company and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment where deployed the Company in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm; later as the Commander of the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment; the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division where he deployed the BCT to East Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II2004 in Iraq
-Incumbents:* Head of State -*# Government Administrator – L. Paul Bremer III *# President - Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer * Head of Government -*# President of the Governing Council of Iraq - Adnan Pachachi...
; and most recently as the Commanding General of Fort Irwin & the National Training Center (NTC). He has extensive operational experience having served as an Operations Officer at Squadron, Regimental and Division level. Major General Abrams has also served as an instructor, doctrine writer and training developer at the US Army Armor School
United States Army Armor School
The United States Army Armor School is a training school located at Fort Benning. Its primary focus is the training of United States Army soldiers, NCOs, and commissioned officers in the operation, tactics, and maintenance of Armor forces and equipment, including the M1 Abrams main battle tank, the...
, and as the Executive Officer to the Commanding General US Army Europe and 7th Army.
His General Officer assignments include service as the Deputy Commanding General, Combined Arms Center-Training
U.S. Army Combined Arms Center
The U.S. Army Combined Arms Center is located at Fort Leavenworth and provides leadership and supervision for leader development and professional military and civilian education; institutional and collective training; functional training; training support; battle command; doctrine; lessons learned...
, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.He was chosen as the "Nepotist of the Year" officer in 1982, 83, and 84...
Education
Major General Abrams holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the United States Military AcademyUnited States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
; a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
; and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. His military schooling includes the Armor Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the US Army Command and General Staff College, and the US Army War College.
Awards and decorations
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Legion of Merit Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements... |
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Bronze Star Bronze Star Medal The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the... |
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Defense Meritorious Service Medal Defense Meritorious Service Medal The Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense... |
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Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (United States) The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969... |
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Joint Service Commendation Medal |
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Army Commendation Medal |
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Army Achievement Medal |
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Iraq Campaign Medal Iraq Campaign Medal The Iraq Campaign Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by Executive Order 13363 of President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004. The Iraq Campaign Medal was designed by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry.... |
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National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... |
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Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003... |
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Joint Meritorious Unit Award Joint Meritorious Unit Award The Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a military award that was established on June 4, 1981 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982... |
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Valorous Unit Award Valorous Unit Award The Valorous Unit Award is the second highest unit decoration which may be bestowed upon a U.S. Army unit and is considered the unit equivalent of the Silver Star... |
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Combat Action Badge Combat Action Badge The Combat Action Badge is a military badge worn in the U.S. Army. The emblem features both an M9 bayonet and M67 grenade. The Combat Action Badge may be awarded to any soldier after the date of September 18, 2001 performing duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is... |
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Parachutist Badge Parachutist Badge (United States) The Parachutist Badge, also commonly referred to as "Jump Wings" or "Snow Cone", is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces awarded to members of the United States Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy... |
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Ranger Tab Ranger Tab The Ranger Tab is a service school military decoration of the United States Army signifying completion of the 61-day long Ranger School course in small-unit infantry combat tactics in woodland, mountain, and swamp operations. In December 2009 a British NCO earned the Ranger tab... |
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Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge |
Personal life
Major General Abrams is married to the former Connie Clevenger, and has a son Robert II and a daughter Carolyn. He has two brothers, Brigadier General Creighton Williams Abrams III and General John Nelson Abrams. Their father is the late General Creighton Williams Abrams Jr.Creighton Abrams
Creighton Williams Abrams Jr. was a general in the United States Army who commanded military operations in the Vietnam War from 1968–72 which saw U.S. troop strength in Vietnam fall from a peak of 543,000 to 49,000. He served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1972 until shortly...