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Gen. Abizaid retired from the U.S. Army in 2007 after 34 years of service, during which he rose from an infantry platoon leader to become a four-star general and the longest-serving commander of U.S. Central Command. During his distinguished career, his command assignments ranged from infantry combat to delicate international negotiations. Gen. Abizaid graduated from the U.S. Military Academy with a bachelor of science degree in 1973. His civilian studies include an Olmsted Scholarship at the University of Jordan, Amman, and a master of arts degree in Middle Eastern studies at Harvard University. Gen. Abizaid is a highly decorated officer who has been awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star
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