Originally from Poway CA, LtCol Allen was commissioned in 2007 after graduating from California Polytechnic State University Pomona. Upon completion of The Basic School, he attended flight training and was designated as an F/A-18 Hornet pilot.

LtCol Allen served with VMFA(AW)-225 the Vikings from 2012 to 2016 serving as Schedules Officer and Airframes Division Officer. During this time, he deployed on the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) twice and deployed on RFF 1200 to Bahrain. LtCol Allen graduated from Marine Division Tactics Course (MDTC) during his time with the Vikings.

LtCol Allen transferred to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (1st LAR) to perform the duties of forward air controller, air officer and operations officer.

In the summer of 2017, LtCol Allen transferred to MAG-31 where he would initially serve at MATSS Beaufort before transferring to VMFA(AW)-224 in Feb 2018. With the Fightin Bengals, LtCol Allen graduated from WTI serving as the pilot training officer and operations officer. LtCol Allen would deploy with the Bengals on UDP in 2019.

LtCol Allen transferred to HQMC Aviation in the summer of 2021 where he assumed the duties of action officer for adversary, joint fires support executive steering committee (JFS ESC) and F-35 TACAIR transition.

He transferred back to MAG-31 in the summer of 2023 and is expected to take command of VMFA(AW)-224 in January of 2024.

His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.