Veteran Georgia Guardsman Promoted to Brigadier General

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Amy King | Brigadier General Reginald Neal, Director of the Joint Staff, Georgia National Guard, observes the unfurling of the general’s flag during his promotion ceremony at Clay National Guard Center.  

MARIETTA, GA, UNITED STATES

01.07.2018

Courtesy Story

Georgia National Guard

General. Joseph Lengyel, Chief of the National Guard Bureau joined the Soldiers and Airmen of the Georgia National Guard at the Clay National Guard Center Sunday to witness the promotion of Col. Reginald Neal to brigadier general.

“(Neal) is respected, admired and sought out as a mentor for others,” said Lengyel, “He is everything you want in a senior leader. He knows how to build bridges and that is a valuable skill set for all of us.”

In his more than 30-year military career, Neal has commanded from the battery to brigade level. He assumed command of the 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment in 2007 and commanded the battalion through its 2009-2010 Afghanistan deployment. He subsequently commanded the Georgia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion and, in 2015, assumed command of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

In 2016, Neal was selected to serve as the executive officer to Gen. Lengyel. The following year, Neal returned to Georgia to serve as the Director of the Joint Staff for the Ga. ARNG.

After receiving the Defense Superior Service Medal from Gen. Lengyel, Neal was pinned with the rank of brigadier general. Neal invited influential individuals from his past to participate in the pinning ceremony. Members of Neal’s high school Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps class and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5408 were recognized along with Doris Chavers who was one of the first people who told Neal he would be a general someday. The presentation of the general officer’s belt was made by Neal’s father, retired Army Master Sgt. Richard Neal.

“My father always kept me in uniform,” said Neal. “Uniforms were a means of equalization, a representation of being a part of something greater than yourself. Being an American is a privilege and being a citizen of this great country is a team sport.”

During his remarks, credited his wife, Kim and daughter Alexandria, for their continuous support in achieving his numerous awards and accomplishments.

“I would not be here with out the love and support of my family,” said Neal. “My wife has been there for me even in the best of times and the worst of times.”

• Date Taken: 01.07.2018
• Date Posted: 01.09.2018 13:57
• Story ID: 261644
• Location: MARIETTA, GA, US
• Hometown: LUDOWICI, GA, US