Lieutenant Commander Anthony Walley is native of Dunwoody, Georgia, and graduated from Dunwoody High School in 1992 where he lettered in track and cross-country. He attended the United States Air Force Academy earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Factors Engineering in 1996, and was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy.

Anthony reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for aviation indoctrination in June 1996. He completed primary flight training at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, and transferred to NAS Kingsville, Texas, for advanced flight training. He received his wings of gold in February 1999.

Anthony reported to Navy Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101) at NAS Oceana, Virginia, for training in the F-14 Tomcat. In April 2000 he reported to the VF-103 "Jolly Rogers" where he completed two deployments aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). While with the "Jolly Rogers," Anthony served as the first lieutenant officer, line division officer, Naval Air Training and Operation Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) officer, FAC(A) training officer, and landing signals officer. His deployments included extended operations in the Arabian Gulf in support of Operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom.

In April 2003, Anthony transferred to the VF-101 "Grim Reapers," where he served as an F-14A/B/D Tomcat instructor pilot, carrier qualification phase head, and assistant training officer. In January 2004, he was selected to the F-14 Tomcat flight demonstration team. While on the team, Anthony performed across the United States and Canada before millions of spectators.

In January 2005, Anthony transferred to Carrier Air Wing 8 (CAG-8), where he served as the air wing's landing signal officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). While with CAG-8, Anthony trained in the F/A-18 Hornet.