John R. Allen

John R. Allen
Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS
In office September 16, 2014 – October 23, 2015
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Brett McGurk
Commander of the International Security Assistance Force
In office July 18, 2011 – February 10, 2013
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	David Petraeus
Succeeded by	Joseph Dunford
Commander of United States Central Command Acting
In office June 30, 2010 – August 11, 2010
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	David Petraeus
Succeeded by	James Mattis
Personal details
Born	December 15, 1953 Fort Belvoir, Virginia, U.S.
Alma mater	United States Naval Academy Georgetown University National Intelligence University National Defense University
Military career
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1976–2013
Rank	General
Commands held	International Security Assistance Force U.S. Forces Afghanistan U.S. Central Command (Deputy Commander) 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines The Basic School U.S. Naval Academy – Commandant of Midshipmen II Marine Expeditionary Force
Battles/wars	Iraq War War in Afghanistan
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3) Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (4) Leftwich Leadership Trophy Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia

John R. Allen (born December 15, 1953) is a retired United States Marine Corps four-star general, and past Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command, prior to serving as Commander of the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A). On September 13, 2014, President Barack Obama appointed General Allen as Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant).^[1] He was replaced in that role by Brett H. McGurk on October 23, 2015.^[2]

Early life and education

Allen was born at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, on December 15, 1953; his father Joseph K. Allen, was a Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean war who retired as a lieutenant commander.^[3][4] He attended Flint Hill School in Oakton, Virginia. He graduated with military honors from the U.S. Naval Academy with the Class of 1976, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Analysis. He is a 1998 Distinguished Graduate of the National War College. He holds a Master of Arts degree in National Security Studies from Georgetown University, a Master of Science degree in Strategic Intelligence from the National Defense Intelligence College, and a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College.

Career

Following commissioning in 1976, Allen attended The Basic School and was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, where he served as a platoon and rifle company commander. His next tour took him to Marine Barracks, 8th and I, Washington, D.C. where he served at the Marine Corps Institute and as a ceremonial officer.

Allen then attended the Postgraduate Intelligence Program of the Defense Intelligence College, where he was the Distinguished Graduate. He subsequently served as the Marine Corps Fellow to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He was the first Marine Corps officer inducted as a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Returning to the Fleet Marine Force in 1985, he commanded rifle and weapons companies and served as the operations officer of 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines. During this period he received the Leftwich Leadership Trophy. In 1988, Allen reported to the U.S. Naval Academy where he taught in the Political Science Department and also served as the Jump Officer and Jump Master of the Academy. In 1990 he received the William P. Clements Award as military instructor of the year.

Allen reported to The Basic School as the Director of the Infantry Officer Course from 1990 to 1992 and was subsequently selected by the Commandant of the Marine Corps Fellows Program, which provides "assignment to either a prominent national foreign policy/public policy research institution or to a national security studies program at a selected university".^[5] Allen has served as a special assistant on the staffs of the 30th Commandant of the Marine Corps and the Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command. In 1994, he served as the Division G-3 Operations Officer for the 2nd Marine Division and subsequently assumed command of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines; re-designated as 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines. This unit served with JTF-160 in Operation SEA SIGNAL during Caribbean contingency operations in 1994, and as part of the Landing Force of the 6th Fleet in Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR during Balkans contingency operations in 1995–1996.

Following battalion command, Allen reported as the Senior Aide-de-camp to the 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps, Charles C. Krulak, ultimately serving as his military secretary.

He commanded The Basic School from 1999 to 2001, when he was selected in April 2001 to return to the Naval Academy as the Deputy Commandant. Allen became the 79th Commandant of Midshipmen in January 2002, the first Marine Corps officer to serve in this position at the Naval Academy.^[6] In January 2003 Allen was nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general.^[7]

Allen's first tour as a General Officer was as the Principal Director, Asian and Pacific Affairs in the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense, a position he occupied for nearly three years. From 2006–2008, Allen served as Deputy Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force and Commanding General, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, deploying to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08, serving as the Deputy Commanding General of Multi-National Forces West and II MEF (Forward) in the Al Anbar Province, Iraq. In January 2007 Allen was nominated for appointment to the grade of major general.^[8]

Allen meets with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin E. Dempsey in Kabul, Afghanistan, July 2011

Marine Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, presents his coin to Spc. Carol Sielawa of Bravo Troop, 1st Squadron of the 126th Cavalry Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard, during a command visit to Forward Operating Base Spin Boldak, Afghanistan, July 12, 2012. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brendan Mackie)

In June 2008, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced Allen's nomination for promotion to the rank of lieutenant general.^[9] He served as the deputy commander of the U.S. Central Command from July 15, 2008, until July 18, 2011, at MacDill Air Force Base.^[10][11] On June 30, 2010, Allen temporarily commanded Central Command after General David Petraeus left to assume command of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.^[12] He served as acting commander until General James Mattis took command on August 11.^[13][14][15] Allen was promoted to general by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen prior to his assumption of command of ISAF, and U.S. Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A) on July 18, 2011.^[16]

Foreign awards include the Mongolian Meritorious Service Medal, First Class; the Polish Army Medal in Gold; and the Taiwan Order of Cloud and Banner with Special Cravat.

On March 6, 2012, he received the Polish Afghanistan Star Medal from Polish President, Bronisław Komorowski.^[17]

On April 20, 2012, he received another Polish award, the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.^[18]

In November 2012, he came under investigation for possible "inappropriate-communication" concerning his correspondences with Jill Kelley, the Honorary Ambassador to U.S. Central Command Coalition Forces.^[19] In response to the investigation, Secretary Panetta suspended his confirmation hearing for commander of EUCOM and requested the U.S. Congress to speed the confirmation of General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. to command of forces in Afghanistan.^[20] On January 22, 2013, General Allen was cleared in a misconduct inquiry.^[21]

On February 10, 2013, Allen relinquished command of the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A) to General Dunford.^[22]

On February 19, 2013, U.S. President Obama accepted Allen's request to retire from the military as his wife fell seriously ill.^[23]

On April 29, 2013, Allen's official retirement ceremony was held at the United States Naval Academy.^[24] After leaving the military in 2013, Allen continued to work as an advisor to Secretary of State John Kerry and former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.

On September 11, 2014, the Obama Administration announced that Gen. Allen would coordinate international efforts against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.^[25] Allen would be named as the Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition against ISIL.^[26][27] With the Obama administration investing 500 million U.S. dollars in the program, Gen. Allen constructed 'Platoon 30', which attempted to conscript and train fighters. However, the Platoon failed to reach its goal of conscripting 5,400 fighters, only managing to conscript a few hundreds, of whom 75 deserted to join Jabhat Al-Nusra in the Platoon's second mission.^[28]

On October 23, 2015, the White House announced his departure from the post, to be was succeeded by Brett McGurk of the State Department.^[29]

After government service, Allen joined the Brookings Institution as senior fellow and co-director of the Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence.^[30]

Political role

Allen was a featured speaker at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 27, 2016, on the topic of national security. He criticized Republican nominee Donald Trump and endorsed Hillary Clinton for President.^[31] Trump fired back, "He [Allen]’s a failed general."^[32]

Awards and decorations

Allen's personal decorations include the following:

Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia
1st Row	Defense Distinguished Service Medal w/ 2 bronze oak leaf clusters
2nd Row	Defense Superior Service Medal			Legion of Merit w/ 3 gold award stars			Defense Meritorious Service Medal			Meritorious Service Medal w/ 1 award star
3rd row	Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 3 award stars			Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ 1 award star			Joint Meritorious Unit Award w/ 1 oak leaf cluster			Navy Unit Commendation w/ 2 service stars
4th Row	Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ 2 service stars			National Defense Service Medal w/ 2 service stars			Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal			Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ 1 service star
5th Row	Iraq Campaign Medal w/ 1 service star			Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal w/ 1 service star			Global War on Terrorism Service Medal			Korea Defense Service Medal
6th Row	Armed Forces Service Medal			Humanitarian Service Medal			Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 7 service stars			Legion of Honor France, Grade of Commander
7th Row	Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia			Order of the Cloud and Banner with Special Cravat			Mongolian Meritorious Service Medal, First Class			Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, 3rd degree (Commander's Cross)
8th Row	Polish Army Medal in Gold			Polish Afghanistan Star			NATO Meritorious Service Medal			NATO Medal for Former Yugoslavia w/ 1 service star
Expert Rifle marksmanship badge						Expert Pistol marksmanship badge
Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge

Notes

1. "Announcement of General John Allen as Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL". State Department. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
2. "Obama names Brett McGurk as envoy to coalition fighting Islamic State". October 23, 2015 – via Reuters.
3. "Nominations Before the Senate Armed Services Committee, First Session, 112th Congress" (PDF). FAS Committee on Armed Services. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
4. Whitlock, Craig (June 14, 2011). "Low-key Marine, Gen. John R. Allen, to take over Afghan war at high-stakes time". Washington Post. Washington, DC.
5. http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%201520.28B.pdf
6. Gen. Allen reflects on his assignment at the USNA in In the Shadow of Greatness. Naval Institute Press, 2012, book authored by the UNSA Class of 2002.
7. "General Officer Announcements and Assignments". DefenseLink (Press release). U.S. Department of Defense. January 2, 2003. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
8. "General Officer Announcements". DefenseLink (Press release). U.S. Department of Defense. January 17, 2007. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
9. "Marine nominated for No. 2 CENTCOM post". Stars and Stripes. June 15, 2008. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
10. "General Officer Announcement – nomination of MajGen John R. Allen for appointment as the Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command". Marine Corps Gazette. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
11. "Lieutenant General John R. Allen, Deputy Commander". U.S. CENTCOM Leadership. CENTCOM. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
12. "Lt. Gen. Allen named CENTCOM acting commander". CENTCOM (Press release). U.S. Central Command. June 30, 2010. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
13. "Mattis takes over Central Command, vows to work with Mideast allies in Afghanistan, Iraq". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. August 11, 2010. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
14. Mitchell, Robbyn (August 12, 2010). "Mattis takes over as CentCom chief". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
15. "Mattis assumes command of CENTCOM". U.S. Central Command. August 11, 2010. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
16. "General John R. Allen Assumes Command of ISAF". isaf.nato.int/article/isaf-releases/index.php. ISAF Headquarters Public Affairs. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
17. Spotkanie z polskimi żołnierzami w Afganistanie – last (8th) photo.
18. Order dla gen. Johna Allena, dowódcy ISAF
19. The Telegraph (London), "Gen John Allen investigated for 'inappropriate communications' to Jill Kelley", Hannah Furness, 8:01AM GMT November 13, 2012
20. BBC News, "David Petraeus CIA scandal engulfs US Gen John Allen", November 13, 2012 Last updated at 05:26 ET
21. Chandrasekaran, Rajiv (January 23, 2013). "Gen. John Allen cleared in misconduct inquiry". Washington Post. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
22. BBC News, "Afghan Isaf commander John Allen sees 'road to winning'", February 10, 2013
23. Chandrasekaran, Rajiv (February 20, 2013). "Gen. John Allen intends to retire, decline military's top post in Europe". Washington Post. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
24. "Gen. John Allen quietly retires from the Marine Corps". MarineTimes. Archived from the original on 2014-03-03. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
25. Michael R. Gordon (September 11, 2014). "Retired Gen. John R. Allen in Line to Lead Effort vs. ISIS". NY Times. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
26. Storey, David (September 12, 2014). "Former U.S. Afghanistan commander to lead effort against Islamic State". Reuters. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
27. "Gen. John Allen named as US envoy to anti-IS coalition". The Times of Israel. September 14, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
28. Dr. Guy Bechor (September 2015). "Analysis". Dr. Guy Bechor.
29. "Obama's Anti-ISIS Point Man Leaving as Russia Steps In". The New York Times. October 23, 2015.
30. "John R. Allen". Brookings Institution.
31. "4-Star General Delivers Forceful Case For Clinton At DNC".
32. "Trump Misfires in Attack on Gen. John Allen".

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.

• "Official Biography: Lieutenant General John R. Allen, acting Commander, U. S. Central Command". Biographies: General Officers & Senior Executives. Manpower & Reserve Affairs, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved January 4, 2009.

External links

• Appearances on C-SPAN
• John R. Allen on Charlie Rose
• John R. Allen at the Internet Movie Database
• "John R. Allen collected news and commentary". The New York Times.
• Profile: Gen John R Allen at BBC News
• General John R. Allen, USMC (Ret.)'s presentation at the Pritzker Military Museum & Library on June 4, 2014