2021 Hall of Fame Inductee
Appalachian State University (1984)
Commissioned from Appalachian State University as an Intelligence Officer in 1984, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Robert P. Ashley, Jr. has commanded at the company, battalion, squadron and brigade levels with combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. His commands include the 206th Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Gordon, Georgia, Intelligence Squadron, Office of Military Support, Washington, D.C., and the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade (Airborne), XVIII Airborne Corps.
Ashley was the 21st Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency from 2017-2020. He formerly served as the Army and Army Chief of Staff , G-2, where he was the senior advisor to the Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff for all aspects of intelligence, counterintelligence, and security. Other key assignments include the Director of Intelligence, U.S. Army Joint Special Operations Command; Director of Intelligence U.S. Central Command; Deputy Chief of Staff Intelligence, Intelligence, International Security Assistance Force and Director of Intelligence, U.S. Forces, Afghanistan; and Commanding General, the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
He gave back to the ROTC community at every opportunity over his 36 years of service. He frequently visited the campus and often delivered leadership seminars to ROTC Cadets as well as serving as guest speaker for dining out and commissioning ceremonies. It was not uncommon for him to reach out to young Appalachian State University officers when they signed into Fort Huachuca when he was commander there or even at Defense Intelligence Agency when he was aware of an Appalachian State University officer posting to that organization.
Acknowledging his mentorship and community fostering, Appalachian State University awarded him the select title of Distinguished Alumni in 2018. An honor bestowed on only 100 or so alumni in the 121-year history of the university.
As a highly respected career intelligence officer, mentor and leaders, Ashley’s Contributions to the Nation are exemplary. Gen. Mark Milley summed up Ashley’s individual contributions to the country, “Our Nation, our entire Nation, owes a debt of gratitude to the Ashley family.” His character, service, and achievements exemplify the spirit of “Duty, Honor, Country.”
About the Army ROTC Hall of Fame
The ROTC Hall of Fame was established in 2016 as part of the ROTC Centennial celebration. The first class (2016) inducted 326 former ROTC Cadets who had distinguished themselves in their military or civilian career.
The Hall of Fame honors graduates of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian pursuits. It provides a prestigious and tangible means of recognizing and honoring Army ROTC Alumni who have made lasting, significant contributions to the Nation, the Army and the history and traditions of the Army ROTC Program.
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