Major Alan Poe was raised on various Marine Corps posts and stations. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 1998 and went to Boot Camp at Marine Corps Recruiting Depot Paris Island, SC., where he graduated with honors as the Platoon Ironman and Squad Leader. He was meritoriously promoted to PFC.
Following the School of Infantry East he was assigned to 3d Bn, 6th Mar in December 1998. During this tour, Alan served as a Squad Automatic Rifleman, Platoon Radio Telecommunication Operator (RTO), and RTO for the Scout Swimmer Platoon where he participated in various exercises with 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in the Mediterranean.
In March of 2000, Alan volunteered to take the reconnaissance indoctrination, which he successfully completed and received orders to 2d Reconnaissance Battalion. During this tour he served as a Point Man, Team Leader, Chief Instructor, and Chief Scout Sniper. He deployed twice on MEUs to the Mediterranean and CENTCOM where he participated in various exercises and operations to include Operation Iraqi Freedom on multiple occasions.
Ordered to instructor duty in October 2006, Alan served as a Reconnaissance Instructor at the Amphibious Reconnaissance School (ARS), EWTGLANT, Virginia Beach, VA. In Dec of 2007 ARS was moved and combined with the Basic Reconnaissance Course, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry West. While there Alan served as a Marine Corps Combat Instructor and Platoon Sergeant.
In March of 2010 Alan was selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program where he attended the University of Maryland and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Human Developmental Psychology.
Following The Basic School and Infantry Officers Course in 2014, Alan was assigned to 2d Bn, 8th Mar. During this tour he served as a Rifle Platoon Commander in support of a deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Africa and as Weapons Company Executive Officer and Scout Sniper Platoon Commander in support of a deployment with the Black Sea Rotational Force.
In July of 2017 Alan received orders to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit ONE as the Future Operations Officer where he deployed as Task Force 56.1 in support of CENTCOM mine countermeasure operations. Alan also served as Operational Planning Team Leader for numerous exercises in support of INDOPACOM OPLANs.
In August of 2019 Alan reported to 2d Battalion 4th Marines and served as Assistant Operations Officer and Fox Company Commander where he deployed with the 31st MEU as the Infantry Small Boat Raid Company. He subsequently served as the Headquarters and Service Company Commander and deployed with the 13th MEU. Alan is currently serving as the Inspector - Instructor for Alpha Company 4th Reconnaissance Battalion.