Staff Sergeant Shantae R. Allen, 412th Contracting Support

Brigade, Fort Sam Houston, Texas is a native of Hampton, SC.

She entered the Army in 2004 at Fort Jackson, S.C. Before

her reclassification as a Contingency Contracting Officer, Allen

served as a 92F, Petroleum Supply Specialist.

Even as a 92F, Allen had distinguished herself as a leader.

"When I was told about this career field, I knew that transitioning

to the Acquisition Corps would improve my professional development

as an NCO and allow me to single-track my career and create

greater opportunities," Allen said.

Allen is assigned to the 620th Contingency Contracting Team,

Rock Island, Ill, 902d Contingency Contracting Battalion, Allen is currently

pursuing her bachelor's degree in Business Management.

As a member of the 620th CCT, Allen's contracting efforts were

focused on "reachback" contingency contracting missions throughout

the world to include the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

She is currently attached to Reachback - Surface Distribution Deployment

Command where she conducts contracting missions throughout

U.S. Pacific Command, CENTCOM, and U.S. Northern Command

regions for transportation services and support.

As the NCOIC for the 620th, she serves as the team's operations

and property book NCO. Her impact to the team is tremendous.

Within her first four months as a contract specialist, she administered

and awarded 22 contracts totaling over $4.5 million.

Allen has proven to be an outstanding leader and a key member

of the team. As she continues to excel in the contracting field, it

is without a doubt that she is a future leader in the Army contracting

profession