Command Sgt. Maj. William E. Allen accepted responsibility as Eisenhower Army Medical Center's command sergeant major during a Change of Responsibility ceremony on the hospital grounds June 4. Allen assumed responsibility from Command Sgt. Maj. John H. Steed who is retiring.

Col. David W. Ristedt, commanding officer bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. John Steed as he transitions from active duty to being a full-time father, husband and handyman.

Allen entered active duty October 1990, completed Basic Training at Fort Bliss, Texas, and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, as a combat medic.

His duties and assignments have included Medical Specialist and Medical Supply NCOIC, 3/4 CAV, and 3rd FSB, 3rd ID, Schweinfurt, Germany; Squad leader, 2/12 IN(M) BN, 4th ID, Fort Carson, Colo.; Practical Nurse Student, Walter Reed Army Medical Center; Practical Nurse, Brooke Army Medical Center; Patient Escort Clinic NCOIC, BAMC; Phase II Practical Nurse Instructor, Fort Sam Houston, Practical Nurse, Tuzla, Bosnia; Medical Civil Affairs NCOIC, Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo; Platoon Sergeant, Schools NCO and S2 NCOIC, 86th CSH, Fort Campbell, Ky.; S2 NCOIC, 86th CSH, Baghdad, Iraq; Observer Controller/Trainer, 3/381 CS/CSS, Grand Prairie and Fort Hood, Texas; S3 Taskings NCOIC, 120th IN BDE, Fort Hood; NCOIC, Department of Nursing Science, Fort Sam Houston; 1SG, G CO., 232D MED BN, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas; Chief Clinical NCO, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, and Sergeant Major, Northern Region Dental Command, both at Fort Belvoir, Va. His most recent assignment was as Troop Command CSM at Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii.

Allen has deployed in support of Operation Joint Forge, Bosnia; Operation Joint Guardian, Kosovo; and twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Allen's military training and education include many schools and courses including every level of NCOES through United States Army Sergeants Major Course, the Practical Nurse Course, and has earned his Bachelor Degree in Health Care Management (Summa Cum Laude) from Touro University International.

His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (5 OLC), Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Superior Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal (w/1 Bronze Star device), Iraqi Campaign Medal (w/4 Bronze Star devices), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Expert Field Medical Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Drivers Badge (W). He is also a member of the prestigious Order of Military Medical Merit and Order of Eagle Medics.

Allen and his wife; Marie, have five children.