Colonel Johnny M. Alley graduated in 1971 with the 1st ROTC class from Appalachian State University and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. He attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Ft. Benning,GA and has spent most of his service with the 108th Training Division. His duty assignments include:
- Training Officer, 3/518th Regt, 108th Division (Training), Hickory, NC
- B Company Commander, 1/518th Regt, 108th Division (Training), Asheville, NC
- S-4 Officer, 3/518th Regt, 108th Division (Training),Statesville, NC
- S-3 Officer, 1/518th Regt, 108th Division (Training),Asheville, NC
- Executive Officer, 1/518th Regt, 108th Division (Training),Charlotte, NC
- Chief Test Officer, HQ, 108th Division (Training) G-3,Charlotte, NC
- Commander, 2/518th Regt, 108th Division (Training) Battalion HQ's,Winston-Salem, NC
- Commander, 2nd Bn, 108th Tng Spt Bde, 108th Division (Institutional Training),Concord, NC
- Commander, 3rd BDE (Combat Support), 108th Division (Institutional Training), Ft. Jackson, SC
Colonel Alley's military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advance Courses, Command and General Staff College, and the TRADOC Pre-command Course.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2 awards), National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (5 awards), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hourglass Device and the Army Service Ribbon.
As of 2011, Colonel Alley serves as the Environmental Health Supervisor with the Appalachian District Health Department in Boone, NC. He also serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Appalachian State University where he teaches Environmental Health in the Department of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science. He remains an avid supporter of the ASU ROTC BN. COL(R) Alley resides in Boone with his wife of 29 years, the former Patsy Leggette. They have a daughter Elyse Darling and a son John McLean Alley.