 Since his release from active duty in 1972, Alford has served as Commanding Officer of NR USS "Kalamazoo"; Executive Officer of NR USS "Moinester"; Commanding Officer of NR USS "Biddle"; Executive Officer of NR Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group Twelve; Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of NR Commander Sixth Fleet, Detachment 109; Commanding Officer of NR Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic, Detachment 109; as the first Commanding Officer of NR Commander Sixth Fleet, Detachment 802; EA and XO to the Deputy Commander, United States European Command; Deputy Commander, United States Sixth Fleet; and J3R, United States European Command (EUCOM).During his tenure with Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group Twelve, Alford was chosen to serve as the United States Navy representative to the German Navy for Exocet missile testing and analysis, including live firing.During Desert Storm, Alford served as an Assistant Naval Attaché, Tel Aviv, Israel.