Biography

Col Robert “Rob” Levalley was born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1964. He graduated from Chariho Regional High School in Richmond, Rhode Island, where he played varsity basketball. He enlisted in the Army Reserve under the delayed entry program and went to basic training prior to his senior year of high school.  Following graduation, he was awarded the infantry MOS and promoted to the rank of Private First Class.

He entered the University of Rhode Island with the class of 1987 and enrolled in the Army ROTC program, where he was eligible for the early commissioning program. He was commissioned in 1985 as a sophomore.  He completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course with assignment to the 76^th Infantry (Training) Division and graduated from URI in 1989. As an undergraduate Rob was a member of the initial URI Ambulance Corps.  He also was a student manager at the Memorial Union and a dorm monitor.  He was active in intramural sports and was a member of the URI ROTC Color Guard.

Then Lt Levalley served in the 3^rd Battalion, 417^th Infantry Regiment, 76^th Infantry (Training) Division for 11 years, where he was promoted to Captain, and served as a Company Commander. He later transferred to the 443^rd Civil Affairs Battalion as the Assistant Operations Officer and commanded the Headquarters Detachment. While assigned to the 443^rd, Rob deployed to Sarajevo, Bosnia for Operation Joint Endeavor, the NATO-led international peacekeeping force. He later deployed to Kosovo as a Civil Affairs Team Chief in support of Operation Joint Guard. He served in the 443^rd as the Battalion Executive Officer until 2002 when he was mobilized for active duty and assigned to the G3 Operations, Special Operations Command as a Mobilization Officer.

In 2005 Colonel Levalley was assigned to Joint Special Operations Command as the Reserve Advisor / Augmentee Chief. During the next 3 years, he deployed several times to Iraq.  In 2008, he was assigned as the Executive Officer, Army Reserve, Department of State Counterterrorism Unit.  During this assignment, Colonel Levalley was selected for the Army War College from which he graduated with a Master’s degree.  He was then assigned as the Senior Army Reserve Advisor to the Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School.  While there, Colonel Levalley was selected for Brigade Command in Germany. Colonel Levalley commanded the only forward-deployed Civil Affairs Brigade in the Army Reserve, and during his command his unit conducted a Humanitarian Assistance Mission to Montenegro in 2012. After leaving command, Colonel Levalley returned to the JFK Center as the Deputy Commandant of the Civil Affairs Proponency Branch. Colonel Levalley retired in 2014 after over 32 years Active and Reserve Duty. 

Colonel Levalley’s military awards include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (silver oak leaf), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Humanitarian Service Medal, Parachute Badge, German Parachutist Badge, the Department of State Meritorious Honor Award; among numerous ribbons and foreign awards.

Colonel Levalley is the epitome of the Citizen – Soldier.  During his Army Reserve years, he had a civilian teaching career as a Physical Education teacher in the Westerly School System. Rob taught at the elementary to high school levels during his 12- year tenure.  Rob has been the Vice President of the URI ROTC Alumni Chapter for the past 3 years. He currently lives in Mesa, Arizona where he is a Project Manager for Gilbane Building Company.  He has three children.  

Colonel Rob Levalley spent his entire life serving his community and country. His exemplary devotion to duty and outstanding leadership are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his family, and the University of Rhode Island.