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SASEBO, Japan – Ensign Meaghan Allen, a native of Kingsport, Tenn., serves in Japan aboard a U.S. Navy warship.

Allen attended Dobyns-Bennett High School and graduated in 2017.

Allen joined the Navy six years ago.

“I joined the Navy because I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself,” said Allen. “I wanted to help protect people that could not protect themselves. I knew as an individual that I could not do that on my own.”

Today, Allen serves as a surface warfare officer aboard USS Green Bay.

Skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those found in Kingsport.

“Growing up I learned the value of community, and truly caring about and loving people where they are at,” said Allen. “I had so much love from my community growing up from school and church. Having that support has taught me to love and support other people.”

USS Green Bay is an amphibious warship. These types of ships embark, transport and land U.S. Marines for a variety of warfare missions. Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice, according to Navy officials.

As a member of the Navy, Allen is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“As a world superpower, we have a responsibility to do right on a global scale,” said Allen. “The Navy is one of the first lines of defense, as we have a fast response when something goes wrong.”

Allen serves in Japan as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces. These naval forces operate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Service members in this region are part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has the largest area of responsibility in the world.

“As the largest force in our nation’s front line against revisionist actors, U.S. Pacific Fleet meets this great responsibility with strength, resolve and confidence,” said Adm. Samuel Paparo, U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander. “Together with our joint and combined partner operations, we are positioned to defend – across all domains – any attempts to threaten our nation, our allies and partner’s security, freedom and well-being.”

Allen and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“I am most proud of earning the Officer of the Deck qualification because the captain trusts me to navigate the ship safely,” said Allen. “I am also proud of being chosen as an reenlistment officer for my sailors. I value being a part of their career and life.”

As Allen and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving in the Navy means being able to give all of yourself, to do what you know is right and to get the job done,” said Allen.

Allen is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I would like to thank my parents, my family and my hometown community for their support,” said Allen.

“I would like to thank my parents for being positive role models in my life by teaching me what right and wrong was,” added Allen. “I learned from my parents that it is important to carry your own weight, so you can help others, who may struggle to carry their own weight.”