After graduating, Robinson served in the Korean War in 1952 as a platoon leader and rifle company commander.
For his actions he received the Bronze Star.
Sent back to the United States a year later he became an instructor in the Airborne Department of the United States Army Infantry School.
He then went on to graduate from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1963.
The following year he received his master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh in international affairs.

In 1967 he served as battalion commander in Vietnam.
For his achievements there he received the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, 11 Air Medals, and two Silver Stars.

After Vietnam he served at the National War College for three years as the executive officer to the Chief of Staff.
He was promoted to Brigadier General and in 1975 became Commanding General of the United States Army Garrison, Okinawa.
  In 1976 he was promoted to Major General and assigned to command the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
 General Robinson was the first African-American to command the 82nd Airborne Division.

His final assignment was as U.S. Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee from 1982–1985.
After he had completed 34 years of service to the U.S. military he retired in 1985.
He was then awarded with the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and a second Distinguished Service Medal.
After graduating, Robinson served in the Korean War in 1952 as a platoon leader and rifle company commander. For his actions he received the Bronze Star. Sent back to the United States a year later he became an instructor in the Airborne Department of the United States Army Infantry School. He then went on to graduate from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1963. The following year he received his master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh in international affairs.
In 1967 he served as battalion commander in Vietnam. For his achievements there he received the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, 11 Air Medals, and two Silver Stars.
After Vietnam he served at the National War College for three years as the executive officer to the Chief of Staff. He was promoted to Brigadier General and in 1975 became Commanding General of the United States Army Garrison, Okinawa.   In 1976 he was promoted to Major General and assigned to command the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  General Robinson was the first African-American to command the 82nd Airborne Division.
His final assignment was as U.S. Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee from 1982–1985. After he had completed 34 years of service to the U.S. military he retired in 1985. He was then awarded with the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and a second Distinguished Service Medal.
Roscoe Robinson Jr.