Rear Admiral (Select) John D. Alexander

Rear Adm. (select) Alexander is a native of Port Neches, Texas. He was commissioned in December 1982 through the Aviation Officer Candidate program, and designated a naval flight officer in November 1983. He is a graduate of: Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering; King’s College, University of London, with a Master of Arts degree in Defense Studies; the Royal Naval Staff College Greenwich (UK); the U.S. Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program; the Joint Forces Staff College; and, the Navy Executive Development Course from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

Alexander completed sea duty assignments as an A-6E bombardier/navigator with the "Boomers" of Attack Squadron (VA) 165 embarked in USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63); the "Silver Foxes" of VA-155 embarked in USS Independence (CV 62); Cruiser Destroyer Group Three as strike operations officer embarked in USS Nimitz (CVN 68); the "Main Battery" of VA-196 for his aviation department head tour embarked in USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70); and, as executive officer of USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69).

Shore duty assignments consist of: instructor duty at the A-6E Fleet Replacement Squadron, VA-128; aide to the Commander, Medium Attack, Tactical Electronic Warfare Wing Pacific; EA-6B electronic countermeasures officer transition training at Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129; head, Aviation Commander Assignments (PERS-431) at the Navy Personnel Command; and, executive assistant to the Director, Joint Staff.

Command tours include the "Black Ravens" of VAQ-135; USS Juneau (LPD 10), forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan; and, aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

Alexander has accumulated more than 3,200 flight hours with 705 carrier-arrested landings. He was named a "Distinguished Engineer," by the Whitacre College of Engineering at Texas Tech University in April 2012. Personal awards include, the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Air Medal (3 strike/flight awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards), and various unit, campaign and service awards.