Unique honor

Allen's pinning ceremony involves older brother

Katy Allen of Jefferson City is now a sergeant in the Missouri National Guard.

And although her promotion from a corporal to a noncommissioned officer was approved earlier this summer, a formal pinning-on ceremony wasn’t performed until Saturday, when friends and family could attend at the Ike Skelton Training Site at 2302 Militia Drive.

At 21, Sgt. Katy Allen has risen rapidly as a combat medic. Her older brother, Sgt. Matt Allen, 22, received the honor of pinning her.

Lt. Col. Lindsey Decker, Missouri National Guard director of public affairs, said it is unique for siblings to serve at the same time because less than 1 percent of the U.S. population serves. However, it is not uncommon for someone to take inspiration from a family member and join a service — for instance, because their grandfather or their father did.

“In today’s day and age — for siblings in their 20s to serve together is unique,” Decker said. “That’s special — to have your family member there when you’re going from a junior enlisted soldier to a non-commissioned officer. Which is what Sgt. Allen is being pinned today as a sergeant. It’s pretty cool to have your brother do that.”

Promotion within the military is a testament to a soldier’s commitment, mastery of duties and skills, and to the service member’s leadership capabilities, according to militaryonesource.mil. Some promotions are more meaningful than others, especially as service members move up in rank.

Like most promotions outside of the military, with higher rank comes increased responsibility and accountability, the website says.

After receiving her new insignia, Katy thanked family, friends, colleagues, her recruiter and her platoon for their support.

“I really love this unit,” she said. “I love what I do. I love my job. And, I hope that I can continue to do it.”

Following the ceremony, Katy said she followed her brother into the service. Matt said he didn’t really know what he was going to do. But service was something he wanted to do.

“It was a little different for me. Matthew was active duty for his first contract,” Katy

said.

She explained she is a combat medic — a health care specialist. Both, she said, moved up quickly by behaving, keeping their noses to the grindstone and doing their jobs.

“My dad is a doctor and I always wanted to follow in his footsteps,” Katy said. “I plan on going to medical school.”

She said when she found out the National Guard was going to do a ceremony for her pinning, Matt was the first person she thought of who needed to attend.

“My parents are super proud of us. We don’t have any pictures of us together in uniform,” she said. “So I thought this might be a good chance for that.”

Decker said it is really important to highlight young service members who share their stories. The Allens’ story might reach people in the Jefferson City or Cole County area who don’t know a soldier or a service member. For the Allens to step out and speak about what they enjoy about service is helpful for people to understand where they come from.

“Matthew has always been someone I have looked up to,” Katy said. “He is an NCO that I want to be like. He’s a good leader. He leads by example, and that’s what I want to do.”