Who Is Allen West?

U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Fla. sent a highly publicized e-mail calling Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz vile and not a lady after she indirectly criticized his plans for insurance reform.

The email also sent to House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)., was titled, Unprofessional and Inappropriate Sophomoric Behavior from Wasserman-Schultz

You want a personal fight, I am happy to oblige. You are the most vile, unprofessional, and despicable member of the US House of Representatives. If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up.

Aside from an outspoken member of the House, who is Allen West?

Below is a comprehensive professional biography of Allen West gathered from publicly available information:

-Allen West was born February 7, 1961 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Source: SunSentinel.com)

-He is originally from the same neighborhood as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Source: West.house.gov)

-Just like his family, his father a World War II veteran, his mother a Marine Corps employee and his older brother a Vietnam veteran, he served in the military for 22 years, joining the United States Army in 1983. (Source: SunSentinel.com)

-He graduated with a B.A. from University of Tennessee while on an ROTC scholarship and a masters in Political Science from Kansas State University. (Source: West.house.gov)

-He received a Master of Military Arts and Sciences from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officer College in political theory and military operations. (Source: West.house.gov)

-He is married to Angela West since 1989 and the couple resides in Plantation, Florida with their two daughters. (Source: SunSentinel.com)

- Before retiring as an Army Lieutenant Colonel, West served as a Field Artillery Officer in several combat zones: in Operation Desert Storm, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was battalion commander for the Army's 4th Infantry Division, and in Afghanistan, where he trained Afghan officers to take on the responsibility of securing their own country. (Source: West.house.gov)

-His hobbies inclue: distance running, SCUBA diving, riding his motorcycle and attending church. (Source: West.house.gov)

-West was honored in the Army, having received a Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals (one with Valor), and a Valorous Unit Award. (Source: West.house.gov)

-He served as an artillery officer, paratrooper, lieutenant, and lieutenant colonel. (Source: SunSentinel.com)

-West was removed from command after firing a threatening gunshot near a prisoner in Taji, Iraq. West claimed it was for protection, was fined $5,000, and was allowed to retire with full honors and benefits. (Source: SunSentinel.com)

-West taught honors history and government and coached track at Deerfield Beach High School. (Source: SunSentinel.com)

-He ran a losing bid for Congress in 2008. (Source: SunSentinel.com)

-West uses his camouflage military helmet bag, replete with patches from every unit he served with, as an everyday bag at work. (Source: SunSentinel.com)

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