Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, who had been tapped to become the supreme allied commander of NATO forces in Europe, is retiring. President Obama granted Allen’s request to end his military career Feb. 19. Allen cited "health issues within his family" as the primary reason why he asked to end nearly 37 years of service in uniform. Allen had been linked to the email scandal last year that brought down his predecessor, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, when it became public that Petraeus was involved in an extramarital relationship with his biographer, Paula Broadwell. Investigations into that incident revealed that Allen had exchanged numerous emails with Jill Kelley, an unpaid employee of U.S. Central Command. Subsequent investigations determined that Allen had not engaged in any misconduct. In making the announcement, Obama praised Allen’s service to the nation. "General Allen presided over the significant growth in the size and capability of Afghan national security forces, the further degradation of al-Qaida and their extremist allies, and the ongoing transition to Afghan security responsibility across the country," Obama said.
