Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

John (Matt) Allen

Bowling Green,KY

Summary

Accomplished retired Field Artillery Army Officer with extensive experience in Division-level operations, fire support integration, and joint planning across combat and training environments. Proven ability to write, brief, and execute complex operations orders, synchronize lethal and non-lethal fires, and lead teams in high-priority operational theaters, including Afghanistan. Skilled liaison with interagency, joint, and multinational partners, ensuring seamless coordination between military and civilian organizations. Demonstrated expertise in requesting, managing, and integrating assets; developing and executing targeting and fire support plans; and operating effectively at higher echelons. Not seeking an operator role, but bringing critical experience as a liaison between military and DEA to support our DEA teams - ensuring every available asset is synchronized to mission requirements, timelines and request in theater, preparing operation orders, and allocating resources.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Special Agent / Pilot

Drug Enforcement Administration
Bowling Green, KY
07.2017 - Current
  • Planned, directed, and executed aviation operations as the pilot in command of a fixed wing aircraft in support of federal criminal investigations of violations of the Controlled Substances Act, Title 21, USC, Section 801 et seq., and related offenses
  • Ensured strict adherence to safety standards during flight operations in accordance with federal aviation regulations and USDOJ - Drug Enforcement Administration policy
  • Maintained extensive knowledge and currency in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations and USDOJ - DEA Aviation Operations policies and procedures.

Fires Support Officer

United States Army National Guard
Lexington, KY
07.2017 - 07.2020
  • Served as senior fire support advisor to the division commander and staff; led development and implementation of the division fire support plan to align fires with the commander's intent for current and future operations.
  • Reviewed and approved key targeting products (HPTL, AGM, TSS) and directed target attack and counterfire operations to prioritize high-payoff and time sensitive targets.
  • Managed and synchronized the Fire Support Element (main and tactical CPs), coordinating FSCMs (FSCLs, RFAs) and deconflicting airspace with adjacent and higher echelons to integrate fires with maneuver.
  • Allocated and prioritized fire support and target-acquisition assets (FA, mortars, aviation, UAVs, radars), and coordinated sustainment with G-4 to maintain ammunition and logistics for sustained operations.

S-3 (Assistant)

United States Army National Guard
Lexington, KY
07.2014 - 07.2017
  • Advised the Brigade Commander and staff on training, operations, and unit readiness; translated commander's intent into executable tactical guidance.
  • Planned, coordinated, and supervised tactical operations and training events, managing the unit's operational calendar to ensure synchronization with higher and subordinate echelons.
  • Directed preparation and dissemination of OPORDs/OPLANs and enforced OPSEC across all operations to protect sensitive information and maintain mission security.
  • Planned and supervised tactical movement and terrain selection, and led the unit's contribution to the counterfire fight to suppress enemy indirect fires.
  • Trained, supervised, and led the S-3 support section (operations NCOs and clerical staff); integrated automated C2 systems and leveraged Field Artillery doctrine to optimize operational effects.

Special Agent

Drug Enforcement Administration
Dayton, OH
01.2011 - 07.2017
  • Planned, directed, and participated in federal criminal investigations of violations of the Controlled Substances Act, Title 21, USC Section 801 et seq., and related offenses.
  • Gathered and prepared evidence and provided courtroom testimony to prosecute violators of United States drug laws operating at the interstate and international levels.
  • Partnered with other federal and state/local law enforcement agencies on mutual drug enforcement efforts to target violent drug offenders in local communities.
  • Collected, analyzed, and disseminated operational drug intelligence information.
  • Executed the seizure and forfeiture of assets derived from, traceable to, or intended to be used for illicit drug trafficking.

Company Commander

United States Army National Guard
Afghanistan
01.2013 - 07.2014
  • Commanded four Military Engagement Teams (MET) in Afghanistan, integrating culturally sensitive missions into broader counterinsurgency operations to build trust with local communities and the ISAF.
  • Led, trained, and supported MET personnel, ensuring physical readiness, cultural competence, and psychological resilience in high-risk environments.
  • Directed cross-cultural engagement operations between the Jordanian Army, Afghan National Security Force, and US Army personal for patrols, forward operating base (FOB) security and intelligence gathering

Education

No Degree - Aviation Safety And Security

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
09-2020

No Degree - Advanced Military Studies

US Army Command And General Staff College
Leavenworth, KS
07-2017

No Degree - Field Artillery

Field Artillery Basic Officer Course
Fort Sill
12-2007

Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond
05-2007

Skills

  • Operational Planning
  • Strategic Analysis
  • Warfighting proficiency
  • Force Management
  • Joint, interagency, and multinational integration
  • Organizational leadership
  • Resource and program management
  • Cross-cultural communication
  • Aviation Safety
  • Pilot
  • Decision-making

Timeline

Special Agent / Pilot

Drug Enforcement Administration
07.2017 - Current

Fires Support Officer

United States Army National Guard
07.2017 - 07.2020

S-3 (Assistant)

United States Army National Guard
07.2014 - 07.2017

Company Commander

United States Army National Guard
01.2013 - 07.2014

Special Agent

Drug Enforcement Administration
01.2011 - 07.2017

No Degree - Aviation Safety And Security

University of Southern California

No Degree - Advanced Military Studies

US Army Command And General Staff College

No Degree - Field Artillery

Field Artillery Basic Officer Course

Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice

Eastern Kentucky University
John (Matt) Allen