Colonel O’Neal graduated in 1996 from the United States Military Academy and was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers. His first assignment was to Ft. Polk, Louisiana where he served in the “Dragoons” of 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment as a Sapper and Assault & Obstacle platoon leader before transitioning to an Armor officer and serving in the “Cougars” of 2nd Squadron as a Scout platoon leader as well as a Troop Executive Officer. During this assignment Colonel O’Neal deployed for 10 months to Bosnia as part of Operation Joint Endeavour.

Following attendance to the Armor Captains Career Course, Colonel O’Neal was assigned to the “Blackhawks” of 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment in Budingen, Germany. During this assignment Colonel O’Neal served as a Squadron Maintenance Officer and Assistant S-3 before commanding Troop A, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, and serving as the Squadron S-3. While assigned to 1-1 CAV, Colonel O’Neal deployed for 15 months to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Colonel O’Neal then attended Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery, Alabama before being assigned to Ft. Hood, TX and the “Brave Rifles” of 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment. While assigned to 3d ACR, Colonel O’Neal served as the S-3 and XO for the 1st Squadron “Tigers” and as the Regimental Operations Officer. During this period Colonel O’Neal deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom for 15 months.

Following his return from Iraq, Colonel O’Neal was assigned to the Joint Staff in Washington D.C. There he served in the J-3’s Joint Operations Directorate as the NATO and EUCOM Desk Officer before returning to Ft. Hood and the 3d Cavalry Regiment where he commanded 2nd “Sabre” Squadron. During this assignment, he participated in the 3d Cavalry Regiment’s transformation from an Armored Cavalry Regiment to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

Colonel O’Neal then returned to Washington, D.C. where he served on the Army Staff as part of the Executive Strategy Group before being assigned to the Immediate Office of the Secretary of Defense where he served as the Director of Travel Operations. Colonel O’Neal then attended the National War College before being assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division in June of 2017 where he served as the TF Marne Chief of Staff.

Colonel O’Neal assumed command of 2/3 Armored Brigade Combat Team “The Spartan Brigade” in June of 2018 where he participated in the conversion of the brigade from Infantry to Armor, executed an NTC rotation, and deployed to USEUCOM and DEFENDER EUROPE 20 and ATLANTIC RESOLVE. Following command, COL O’Neal was assigned to the Army Talent Management Task Force in Washington DC.

Colonel O’Neal holds a Bachelor’s of Science in International and Strategic History from the United States Military Academy, a Masters in Military Arts and Science from the Air Command & Staff College, and a Masters in National Security Strategy from the National War College.