Photo By Sgt. Erin Vandehoef | U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Shelbie Allen, an air traffic controller with...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CAMP PENDLETON, CALIF. – Every year, Marine Corps Installations Command recognizes a hardworking top performer as the enlisted Marine of the year. The winner for 2024 is U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Shelbie Allen, an air traffic controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton.
“It was kind of a surprise to me, when they told me they were putting me up for it,” Allen said. She was informed a few weeks later by her Master Sergeant she was chosen. Winning the award was unexpected to Allen, and not something she thought she would be in the running for, even with her impressive list of accolades.
Allen is an avid volunteer. Two times a month, she commits her time at the Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton food and diaper drive where she facilitates the packing of food and diaper boxes to ensure a streamlined process. Over the last year, this drive has helped over 1,000 service members and their families in the Camp Pendleton area. Along with her participation here, she also assists with the organization of events for Marines all year long at MCB Camp Pendleton.
“I was involved in the planning for a thanksgiving dinner at the barracks,” Allen explained. “I helped coordinate for 180 meals at no cost to the Marines, it was a big success. We even had enough food to bring a plate to all the Marines, Sailors and civilians who were working to ensure they had a meal going into the holiday.”
Taking care of people has always been a priority for Allen. Throughout her time in the Marine Corps, she makes a point to ensure the Marines around her have everything they need. Putting on food drives and barracks bashes are just some of the ways Allen supports her Marines. This caring and good-natured energy is something she has carried with her from childhood.
The 29-year-old St. Louis native grew up caring for her many siblings. On her dad’s side she was the oldest and only girl, and because of this she was thrust into a motherly and responsible role. As a pre-teen, she was coordinating meals and making sure all her siblings were ready for their day. These responsibilities in her childhood prepared her for life in the Marine Corps as a noncommissioned officer and now a staff noncommissioned officer.
“We had an extra brother my mom adopted when he was around 14-years-old,” she explained. “He is one of my brother's friends, but quickly became family.”
The idea that family can be by choice and by blood is a concept she is familiar with. Bringing people in and making them feel welcomed regardless of how they came into her life is a big aspect in why she believes she was awarded as the 2024 Marine Corps Installations Command Enlisted Marine of the Year.
When asked to give advice to other Marines about how to be successful in the Marine Corps, she strongly encourages Marines to think about the whole Marine concept. Exceling technically and tactically in many areas should be a priority for all Marines wanting to be successful. They should keep in mind that improvement must come from all directions, to include personal life, not solely job proficiency.
Although Allen is a Marine 24/7, she has many hobbies and fills her free time enriching her and her family's life. One of her favorites is backpacking all over the United States. She has been to Elephant Rock State Park, Volcanoes National Park, Onion Valley and many other places in and around California. She and her significant other also purchased a home and enjoy gardening in the backyard alongside their daughter.
Being awarded as the 2024 Marine Corps Installations Command Enlisted Marine of the Year has meant a great deal to Allen. Being someone another Marine can look up to and count on is one of the main reasons she loves being a leader. Receiving this award is validation of Allen’s hard work and dedication to her Marines and to the MCAS Camp Pendleton mission.
“Being passionate about your job is admirable,” she said. “Any job can be beneficial; if you are going to commit to it, the end result will always be worth the effort.”
| Date Taken: | 01.30.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 02.12.2024 11:30 |
| Story ID: | 463509 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 961 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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