[1] Brooks was the United States Central Command Deputy Director of Operations during the War in Iraq, and frequently briefed the media, which raised his public profile.

Brooks assumed command in Korea on 30 April 2016, and was succeeded by Robert B. Abrams in November 2018, then retired on 1 January 2019.

He was a varsity basketball player, and decided to follow his brother to United States Military Academy at West Point to earn a commission as an officer.

While serving there he was temporarily assigned to be deputy director of Operations at United States Central Command (CENTCOM).

[citation needed] In his role as deputy director of Operations, Brooks also became the spokesperson of CENTCOM, the main force in the Middle East.

He deployed the unit to Iraq for a year, serving as U.S. Division – South, responsible for securing the heavily Shi'ite areas of the southern half of the country.

While initially criticized in some circles,[6] the innovative approach has met high acclaim from the countries of the region and the units involved in the missions.

He is also a principal with WestExec Advisors,[13] a consulting firm that helps "defense corporations market their products to the Pentagon and other agencies," according to the Project On Government Oversight.