He was a brigadier general in the Iowa Air National Guard and served as chief of staff at its headquarters.

degree in management from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in 1974, graduated from the Air Command and Staff College correspondence program in 1984, completed the National Security Management Course in 1987, and graduated from the Army War College 1990.

He was responsible for ensuring that units of the Iowa Air National Guard are organized, manned, equipped, trained, and ready to accomplish their assigned state and federal missions.

Alons' military career began in 1969, when he received a commission through Officer Training School.

He also served as the chair of the Veterans Affairs committee and as a member of the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Capitals Appropriations Subcommittee.