Col Abrams joined the Marine Corps in response to the September 11, 2001, attacks and attended the Platoon Leader’s Course during the summer of 2002. He graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland in December 2002 and accepted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in January 2003.
Upon completion of The Basic School and Field Artillery Officer’s Basic Course, he reported to 1st Battalion, 12th Marines in January 2004. He was soon thereafter sent to Okinawa, Japan on a Unit Deployment Program to meet Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, where he served as a Forward Observer. During this period, he participated in Exercise Cobra Gold in Thailand as a Combined Marine Forces Liaison Officer.
After returning from UDP, he attached to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines as the Company Fire Support Officer. He deployed with Company L to Afghanistan in November 2004 and served in a variety of roles including Platoon Commander, Information Operations Officer, and Company Executive Officer.
After returning from Afghanistan, he served in Battery A, 1st Battalion, 12th Marines as a Guns Platoon Commander and Battery Executive Officer and then with Headquarters Battery as the Battery Executive Officer. He also participated in Exercise Ulchi Focus Lens located in South Korea as a Force Fires Liaison Officer.
He was promoted to Captain in 2007 and was assigned to Recruiting Station New York as an Officer Selection Officer.
Captain Abrams transitioned to the IMA in August 2010 and affiliated with HQ Marine Corps Division of Public Affairs New York, where he served as a Media Officer.
In September 2012, Captain Abrams transferred to 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines to serve as the Battalion Logistics Officer and was shortly thereafter promoted to Major. In June 2013, he took command of Battery M in Chattanooga, TN. Battery M received the 2015 General Clifton B. Cates award for the most outstanding company in 4th Marine Division.
In December 2015, Major Abrams assumed the position of Battalion Executive Officer. During this time, he concurrently completed Command and Staff College Weekend Seminar.
In June 2017, Major Abrams assumed the role of 14th Marines Operations Officer and was activated in support of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma relief efforts.
In May 2018, he transferred to the IMA and attached to the J-33, Joint Staff, Pentagon, as an Antiterrorism/Force Protection Officer where he managed the CJCS Level IV Antiterrorism Executive Seminar. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in September 2019.
LtCol Abrams took command of 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines in June 2021, where he led the operational integration of the battalion with 10th Marine Regiment.
After battalion command, he transferred to the Marine Innovation Unit in June 2023, where he served as the Chief Information Officer and led Information and Knowledge Management, artificial intelligence utilization, and communications.
LtCol Abrams was selected for top level school and was a resident student at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He graduated with a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.
His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal in lieu of second award, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. He is a recipient of the Honorary Order of St. Barbara.
Col Abrams has a Masters of Business Administration from New York University and founded a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting transitioning veterans and military spouses with beginning new careers. He also served as the Mayor for the Village of Kinderhook, New York.