Colonel (COL) Donald Neal was raised in Dallas, Texas and graduated from Jesuit College Preparatory High School. He is a 2001 graduate of the Benedictine College, located in Atchison, Kansas, where he majored in history and was commissioned as an Infantry Officer.
COL Neal completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Infantry Mortar Leader Course, Bradley Leader Course, and the Ranger Course from 2002 to 2003 at Fort Moore, Georgia. Upon completing initial officer training, COL Neal was assigned to the 172d Brigade Combat Team (Arctic Light) in Fairbanks, Alaska. As a junior officer, COL Neal served as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Mortar Platoon Leader, and Headquarters & Headquarters Company (HHC) Executive Officer. Subsequently, COL Neal was selected to serve in the 2d Ranger Battalion in Fort Lewis, Washington. While assigned to 2d Ranger Battalion, he served as a Ranger Rifle Platoon Leader and HHC Executive Officer, deploying three times in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.
COL Neal commanded B Troop Long Range Reconnaissance and Surveillance (LRRS) (Airborne) at Fort Cavazos, Texas and B Company of the 3d Ranger Battalion at Fort Moore, Georgia. In both assignments, he deployed in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM and OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM numerous times. Most recently, COL Neal commanded the 1-17 Infantry Battalion at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
Key staff tours include service as a Squadron Operations Officer and Brigade Executive Officer in the 173d Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), Aide-de-Camp to the Commander of OPERATION RESOLUTE SUPPORT, Infantry Lieutenant Colonel Assignment Officer, G-3 of the 7th Infantry Division, and Deputy Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. COL Neal is a Naval War College and Nation War College graduate.