General John Van Alstyne received his Bachelor in Business Administration from Texas A&M, his Master of Science Degree in Military Science from the United States Army Command and General Staff College and his Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College.

Commissioned from Texas A&M as an Infantry officer in 1966, his Company grade duty included assignments in the Berlin Brigade; the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam; the 82nd Airborne Division; and the 3rd Armored Division in Germany. During field grade years, he served in the 1st Cavalry Division, commanded 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry in Germany; and was G3, 8th Infantry Division.

Later served as G3, I Corps; Commander, 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division; Executive Officer to the DCSPER of the Army; and Chief of Staff, 24th Infantry Division during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. As a general officer, served as Assistant Division Commander, 1st Armored Division; Director of Operations, U.S. Southern Command; Vice Director for Operations, Joint Staff; Commanding General, Ft. Jackson, South Carolina; Deputy Commanding General, Army Training and Doctrine Command and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy.

Following retirement in December, 2002, General Van Alstyne served as Commandant of the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University until January 2010. Currently, he is an executive professor at Mays Business School, Texas A&M University.