Lt. Cmdr. John Allison is a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, but also lived in Cherokee, N.C. In 1991, he graduated with honors from Flour Bluff High School in Corpus Christi, where he played football. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, earning a B.S. in Kinesiology with highest honors. He received his commission upon graduation through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps in December 1995.

John completed primary flight training at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, and transferred to NAS Kingsville, Texas, for intermediate and advanced jet training in the T-45 Goshawk. John received his wings of gold in June 1998.

He then reported to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA 125) at NAS Lemoore, Calif., for training in the F/A-18 Hornet. As a student assigned to VFA 125, he was awarded Fleet Replacement Pilot of the Year honors and several other awards for air combat, precision bombing, and carrier landing performance.

In February 2000, John reported to VFA 192 at NAF Atsugi, Japan, where he served as the NATOPS officer, aircraft division officer, air-to-air training officer, and landing signals officer. While there, he earned 2002 VFA 192 Pilot of the Year honors, and deployed seven times aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), planning and participating in numerous international exercises with Japanese, South Korean, Thai, Singaporean and Australian Naval and Air Forces. John also deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and flew combat missions supporting Operations Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom.

In April 2003, John reported to VFA 122 based at NAS Lemoore, as an F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet instructor pilot. While at VFA 122, John served as the electronic briefing officer, assistant syllabus officer, plans officer, landing signals officer, and Tailhook Legacy demonstration pilot.