Gen Allen says he is retiring to address health issues within his family.. PHOTO: FILE
In a statement, the US President Barack Obama announced he would accept Gen. Allen's request to retire, saying he had expressed his "deep, personal appreciation" for Gen. Allen's service in Afghanistan and in the US Marine Corps.
General Allen had been nominated last year to serve as the NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, but allegations of exchange of improper emails with Jill Kelley, a Tampa socialite, had put the nomination on hold. He was cleared of charges of improper conduct in a subsequent investigation led by the Department of Defense.
The US President called Gen Allen one of America’s finest military leaders and a true patriot in his statement.
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Our top soldiers should take an example, when the time comes to retire, it is time to retire, not time for extensions, or become field marshals, chief executives, presidents etc.