Today, we know Allen West as the Congressman representing Florida’s 22nd district and a prominent voice for conservatism. Many also know him as a 22 year veteran of the U.S. Army.
The details and history of Congressman West are astounding and impressive.
Born in Georgia in 1961, West became the youngest of a family rich in a history of defending our nation. His father, Herman served in WWII and was known as Buck, his mother, Elizabeth, was a civilian employee of the U.S. Marines. Allen West’s older brother served in Vietnam.
West knew that he too would serve and joined, in the 10th grade, the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps. After graduating from the University of Tennessee, West joined the Army in 1983 and later received Masters Degrees in Political Science from Kansas State University as well as Masters in Military Arts and Sciences and from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officer College.
Military Career
- Attended Field Artillery Officer Basic Course
- Completed Airborne Training
- Fire Support Team leader and battalion training officer, 325 Airborne Battalion Combat Team
- Promoted to Captain in 1987
- Graduated from Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course
- Commanded B Battery, 6th Field Artillery Regiment
- Battalion Task Force fire support officer, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment
- Participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm
- After redeployment from Kuwait, ROTC Instructor at Kansas State University 1991-1994
- ROTC Instructor of the Year 1993
- Assistant Operations/Combat Plans Officer, 2nd Infantry Division 1995
- Promoted to Major in 1997
- Attended and completed U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
- Operations Officer, 18th Field Artillery Brigade
- Executive Officer, 1st Battalion, 377th Field Artillery Regiment
- Army Exchange Officer, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejuene 1999-2002
- Battalion Commander, 2nd Battalion 20th Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Division 2002-retirement
It should be noted that after obtaining the information which resulted in the Article 15 hearing, not a single further ambush against U.S. troops was recorded until after West was relieved in Oct. 2004. Further, West received a letter of support signed by 95 Members of the House and thousands of letters of support from U.S. citizens. The letter of support from the House was sent to the Secretary of the Army.
Life in the Private Sector
After retiring from the army, Allen west and his family, his wife and two daughters, moved to south Florida where West spent a year teaching high school in 2004.
West then took a position with a military contractor, Military Professional Resources Inc. That position saw West return to Afghanistan in the roll of adviser to the Afghan Military.
Political Career
In 2008, West entered his first political campaign as a Republican candidate for congress, a race which he lost by 9 points.
In 2010, West again ran for congress as a Republican from Florida’s 22nd district and reversed the outcome winning his race by 9 points.
As a freshman Congressman, Allen West holds two committee appointments.
1) Committee on Armed Services – Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
2) Committee on Small Business – Subcommittees on Contracting and Workforce and Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight and Regulations
Allen West joined the Black Congressional Caucus in January of 2011.
Congressman West continues to be a sought after speaker and subject of a wide variety of media interviews and has emerged as a leader of the freshman class in Congress.
West enjoys a wide variety of outdoor activities including riding his motorcycle, sky diving, running and scuba diving.
West stays in touch with his constituents through his website, weekly blog, Facebook page and twitter assisting his constituents with updates regarding his busy schedule. That schedule includes two town hall meetings in his south Florida district each month where he speaks about congressional issues and answers audience questions.
Special Recognitions
West's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters); Army Commendation Medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters, one Valor Device); Army Achievement Medal (one Oak Leaf Cluster); Valorous Unit Award; Air Assault Badge; and the Master Parachutist Badge.[citation needed]
West has received the following service medals and ribbons: National Defense Service Medal (with bronze star device); Southwest Asia Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Army Overseas Service Ribbon (multiple awards); Saudi Arabia Kuwait Liberation Medal W/Palm Tree and Kuwait Liberation Medal.[citation needed]
In January 2004, the conservative online political magazine FrontPage Magazine designated West its Man of the Year.
Contact Info
Washington, DC
1708 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3026
Fax: (202) 225-8398
Fort Lauderdale
6300 NE 1st Avenue - Suite 100
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Phone: (954) 202-6211
Fax: (954) 202- 6212
West Palm Beach
3111 South Dixie Highway, Suite 308
West Palm Beach, Florida 33405
Phone: (561)655-1943
Fax: (561) 655-8018
