Biography
2nd Recruit Training Battalion
Sergeant Major John H. Allen II

Sergeant Major (SgtMaj.) Allen was born in Kilmarnock, VA on October 24, 1984 and enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 2003. He completed recruit training with Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC.

Upon completion of recruit training, Private First Class (PFC) Allen reported to Camp Geiger, NC and completed Marine Combat Training. Upon completion, PFC Allen reported to Marine Corps Communications Electronics School in Twenty-Nine Palms, CA, where he earned the military occupation specialties of Field Wireman (0612) and Unit Level Circuit Switch Operator (0614).

In December 2003, PFC Allen reported to Marine Wing Communications Squadron -28 for duty as a field wireman, where he was assigned to Alpha Company. During this time, he served as a Fireteam Leader, Squad Leader, and Company Training Clerk. He completed deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. PFC Allen was promoted to the ranks of Lance Corporal, Corporal, and Sergeant.

Upon receipt of orders, Sergeant (Sgt.) Allen reported to Drill Instructor School, Parris Island, SC, in July 2007. After graduating, he was assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion. During his tour, he served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Chief Drill Instructor, and Battalion Operations and Training Chief. Sgt Allen was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant at this time.

In October 2010, Staff Sergeant (SSgt.) Allen received orders and reported to 9th Communications Battalion, Support Company for duty as a Telecommunications Systems Chief and served as Battalion Assistant Operations Chief. Upon completion of his duty in this billet, SSgt. Allen represented the United States Marine Corps as an Instructor Advisor to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Presidential Guard.

In February 2014, SSgt Allen reported to 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division where he served as the Telecommunications Systems Chief and Platoon Sergeant completing deployments to the Republic of Korea and the Philippines. SSgt Allen was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant and attended Advanced School.

After attending Advanced School, Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt.) Allen received orders to Staff Non Commissioned Officer Academy, Okinawa, Japan. There, he served as a Faculty Advisor, Chief Instructor and SNCOIC of Advanced School and Sergeant’s School. GySgt Allen also obtained all of the prerequisites and earned the title of Master Faculty Advisor.

GytSgt Allen was selected and promoted to First Sergeant (1stSgt.) and received orders to 7th Communication Battalion. He was assigned as Company First Sergeant, Bravo Company and later Company First Sergeant, Headquarters Company. 1stSgt Allen then received orders to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion and served as First Sergeant of Charlie Company and Engineer Support Company. 1stSgt Allen was selected for promotion to Sergeant Major in 2022 and received orders to MCRD Parris Island on March 2023, where he served as the Fourth Recruit Training Battalion Sergeant Major until it's deactivation in June 2023. In July 2023, Sergeant Major Allen was transferred to the Second Recruit Training Battalion to serve as the Battalion Sergeant Major.

Sergeant Major Allen’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (fourth award) and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (second award).

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island