Command Sergeant Major
Joseph R. Allen

CSM Joe Allen entered the United States Army in July 1975, at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where he attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training. Upon completion, he was assigned as a light wheel vehicle mechanic in the 5th Signal Command, Worms, Germany.

During CSM Allen’s 37 years of service, his stateside assignments included multiple tours with the 82nd Airborne Division and XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Virtually all of his assignments have been with Soldiers serving in tactical organizations, many of which have deployed in support of direct combat. CSM Allen has served in many of the major operations of the past thirty years; Grenada, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and multiple deployments to Iraq.

In 2010, CSM Allen was requested by General Lloyd Austin, Commanding General of United States Forces-Iraq to be his Command Sergeant Major. During this very difficult and demanding assignment, the command team of General Lloyd Austin and CSM Joe Allen had the immense responsibility to develop Iraqi Forces to take on necessary roles to protect Iraqi National Security, to wind down the U.S. military mission, and to bring our Soldiers, Sailors, Airman and Marines home safely.

According to General Austin, "I've never known a more courageous and selfless individual in my 36-plus years in uniform." At CSM Allen’s retirement ceremony on March 30th, 2012, General Austin, the current Vice-Chief of Staff of the Army, stated; “I’ve never worked with a more qualified non-commissioned officer. He was more than just a command sergeant major, my right hand. He was, and is, a true friend.”