The Corps of Cadets will honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation during the annual Memorial Day Parade, this Friday, May 18th. The parade will be held at8:00am this Friday on Grant Parade.

Brigadier General Reginald Neal, a graduate of GMC, will be the guest speaker.

Brigadier General Reginald Neal is from Ludowici, GA. He graduated from Georgia Military College in 1989, where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. His civilian education includes: Associate degree from Georgia Military College, a Bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southern Univ., a Master’s degree from The Citadel, a second Master’s degree from the U.S. Army War College, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Argosy University. While serving as a traditional (M-Day) National Guard Soldier, BG Neal taught high school, and served as an Asst. Principal before joining the Active Guard-Reserve (AGR) program in 1998.

Brigadier General Neal has served in the 48th IBCT, 78th Troop Command, JTF 781 (CERF-P), 648th MEB, and numerous assignments at the GA Army National Guard JFHQs. He assumed command of the 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment, in August 2007. While the battalion was deployed to Afghanistan he served as the Commander of Joint Task Force Kabul. He subsequently commanded the GA Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion and the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT). Following command of the 48th IBCT, Neal was selected to be the Executive Officer to the 28th Chief of the National Guard Bureau (NGB), serving at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. He is currently assigned as the Director of the Joint Staff, Georgia Army National Guard.

BG Neal currently serves as the President of the National Guard Assoc. of Georgia. He has also served on numerous strategic-level military planning committees, including the NGB Combat Vehicle Task Force and Field Artillery Advisory Council. He is a member of several social and civic organizations including the historic Chatham Artillery, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., American Legion Post #160, and VFW Post #5408 (Life member).

Neal completed the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms Staff Service School, Command and General Staff Officer Course, Paladin Commanders Course, Field Artillery Battalion Pre-Command Course, Tactical Combat Commanders Course, Maneuver Brigade Pre-Command Course, the US Army War College and the Army Strategic Education Program-Basic.

BG Neal’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, a Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal (Afghanistan), five Meritorious Service Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hourglass, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, both Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign medals, NATO medal, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Citation, Basic Parachutist Badge, Combat Action Badge, and the Dept. of the Army Staff Badge.

Brigadier General Neal is married to Kim Neal (Pennington) of Bloomingdale, GA. His daughter Alexandria, is a senior at Union Grove High School.