[2] In 1942 the Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks (now NAVFAC) wanted the first Seabee training center close to an existing Naval training facility with Norfolk being chosen because of the available land that could be purchased.
The base was named Camp Allen in memory of the CEC Captain Walter H. Allen founder of the naval construction regiment at Great Lakes Naval Training Center during WWI.
[3] Camp Allen later became home to the 3rd Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST) Companies.
[4] The base had a supply warehouse, battalion aid station, and transportation area, but all have been re-purposed.
All units are members of the Marine Corps Security Force Regiment, headquartered aboard Naval Weapons Station Yorktown.