Rear Admiral (Select) James R. McNeal, SC

Rear Adm. (select) McNeal graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in 1986 and holds a Master of Science in Organizational Management from Chadron State College. He graduated from the Advanced Joint Professional Military Education program at the Joint Forces Staff College and is JQS Level II qualified.

At sea, he served as the disbursing officer and wardroom officer aboard USS Constellation (CV 64) and the assistant supply officer aboard USS Merrill (DD 976). Ashore, McNeal served as the supply officer of SEAL Team One. After transitioning to the Reserve component, McNeal served as commodore, Fifth Navy Expeditionary Logistics Regiment; commanding officer, Naval Reserve NAVSUP Logistics Operations Center; commanding officer, Navy Cargo Handling Battalion Five; officer-in-charge, Fuels Company F; executive officer, Logistics Task Force-Pacific; and assistant officer-in-charge, Defense Contingency Support Team (DCST) -Logistics Assistance Team San Diego.

McNeal’s staff assignments include assistant chief of staff for Operations, DLA (J-9); operations officer, Fleet Industrial Supply Center San Diego Detachment 519; training officer, Naval Special Warfare Command; division officer, Naval Regional Contracting Command 519; and supply officer, Submarine Base San Diego.

McNeal was mobilized in 2009 as the commanding officer of DCST-Kuwait and as the deputy director of the Central Command Deployment and Distribution Operations Center in support of Operations Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom.

In his civilian career, McNeal is the managing recruiter at an executive search firm based in La Mesa, Calif.

Personal awards include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards).