Major Abma is a native of South Dakota and graduated from Menno High School in 2001. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego on 9 October 2001. Upon graduation from recruit training he attended Marine Combat Training, Camp Pendleton, CA. From there, he attended the dynamic component course at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina where he was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal.
In May 2002, LCpl Abma reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16, MCAS Miramar. In 2003 he deployed aboard the SS CURTIS in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM I. He later deployed to Al Asad Iraq for OIF II in 2004 and was promoted to Corporal in September of 2004.
He was promoted to Sergeant in November 2005 and assigned the duties of work-center Non-Commissioned Officer-In-Charge of the Power Plants Division. He executed his duties there until his End of Active Service in October of 2006.
In January 2007, he attended Western Illinois University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. He attended Platoon Leader’s Course in 2009, commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in August 2010, and reported to The Basic School in March 2011. Upon graduation, 2nd Lt Abma attended Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course in Pensacola, Florida.
2nd Lt Abma reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11, MCAS Miramar California in January 2012 and served as the Power Plants Officer. In October 2012, he was assigned to become the Material Control Officer for VMFA-323 and deployed in March 2013 upon the USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM and Operations in the Red Sea.
In March 2014, 1stLt Abma became the Maintenance Material Control Officer and deployed in support of the Unit Deployment Program to Iwakuni, Japan in January, 2015. He was promoted to Captain in March 2015.
Captain Abma reported to Marine Corps Recruiting Command’s 9th District Headquarters, Naval Station Great Lakes in 2015. There he conducted the responsibilities of Quality Control Officer and was reassigned to become the Officer Selection Officer of Milwaukee, WI.
Upon a successful recruiting tour, Captain Abma reported to and completed resident Expeditionary Warfare School in 2019. From there he was assigned to become 2d Marine Air Wing Aviation Logistics Department rotary class desk officer. He was promoted to Major in October 2020 and assumed the billet of the Plans Officer billet for Aviation Logistics Department and completed Command and Staff blended seminar in May 2022.
In July 2022, he reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 29 aboard MCAS New River and became the Operations Officer. He then assumed the responsibilities of Executive Officer in June of 2023.
Major Abma’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various other Service and Campaign medals.