Sergeant Major Michael Allen, a Kansas native, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2002, completing recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Following Marine Combat Training, he attended the Personnel Clerks School at Camp Johnson, NC, where he received formal training for his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).
In August 2003, he was assigned to HQ&HQ Squadron, MCAS New River IPAC, serving as a Personnel Clerk in the Inbound section. In April 2005, Corporal Allen transferred to HQ 9th Marine Corps District in Kansas City, MO, where he worked as the District Career Planner and Separations Clerk.
In November 2006, Sergeant Allen lateral moved to the MOS of MV-22 Crew Chief and returned to MCAS New River for Enlisted Aircrew training. During this period, he attended Naval Aircrew Candidate School in Pensacola, SERE School in Brunswick, Maine, and CNATT at MCAS New River. After completing these courses, he joined VMMT-204, where he completed MV-22 Crew Chief training and was assigned to the Flightline.
In January 2009, Sergeant Allen joined VMM-365 to transition the squadron from CH-46 to MV-22 aircraft, becoming a plank holder. In June 2010, as a Staff Sergeant, he deployed to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, flying combat missions and providing general support throughout Helmand Province until December 2010. Upon his return, he completed the Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course in Yuma, AZ, earning the MOS 6177. He rejoined VMM-365 as a Night Systems, Tail Gunnery, and Weapons and Tactics Instructor and, in January 2012, deployed again to Camp Bastion, this time as squadron WTI and Flightline SNCOIC, flying over 70 named operations across Afghanistan.
In August 2012, Staff Sergeant Allen was assigned to MAWTS-1 in Yuma, AZ, where he served as a Weapons and Tactics Instructor and the MV-22 Division Chief. He provided advanced certifications to Fleet VMM squadrons worldwide and supported missions such as Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Africa and the Philippine bilateral exercise.
In January 2016, he transferred to VMM-266 as Flightline SNCOIC, MV-22 Crew Chief, and Squadron WTI. He deployed to Morón Air Base for the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Africa (SPMAGTF-CR-AF 16.2), supporting operations Oaken Steel, Observant Compass, and missions in Libya. Following this deployment, he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant, attended the Basic Recruiters Course, and served as the Officer Selection Assistant for the 9th Marine Corps District, Recruiting Station Kansas City, until May 2021.
In May 2021, Gunnery Sergeant Allen joined VMM-263, serving as the Flightline Division Chief and WTI for VMM-263 (REIN). In January 2022 he was promoted to First Sergeant, and transferred to Romeo Battery, 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, later re-designated as Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines. As First Sergeant for the battery, he deployed with the first East Coast HIMARS battery to Okinawa in support of the Unit Deployment Program.
In January 2024, First Sergeant Allen transferred to Company B, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry East, and later to Company G, Marine Combat Training Battalion, where he served as the Unit Senior Enlisted Advisor. In May 2025 Sergeant Major Allen was assigned as the Site Support Belle Chasse Command Senior Enlisted Leader where he currently serves.
Sergeant Major Allen’s personal decorations include the Air Medal-Strike/Flight with numeral 10, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with four gold stars), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with two gold stars). He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Park University.