Ship's Crew
Randall Allan Neal
Rank(s): Commander
Dates of Service: 8/11/2001 - 7/19/2003
Birth Date: 4/2/1960
Randall Neal was born in Long Beach, California on April 2, 1960. He was commissioned as an ensign from the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps class of 1983. From August 1984 to September 1989, Neal served on guided missile cruisers Richmond K. Turner (CG-20) and Yorktown (CG-48). He next served with the Chief of Naval Operations from October 1989 to February 1991, and later in the guided missile cruiser Shiloh (CG-67) from January 1992 until April 1995, at which time he returned to the Chief of Naval Operations. From January 1998 to July 1999, Neal worked aboard the guided missile cruiser Port Royal (CG-73). He worked as flag secretary for the commander of the Third Fleet from July 1999 to July 2000. Before serving on “Old Ironsides,” he attended the National War College from August 2000 to June 2001.
Neal commanded Constitution from August 11, 2001 to July 19, 2003. After the attacks on September 11, 2001, with tighter security in place, Constitution was temporarily closed to the public. A few months later the ship reopened and Neal established a security area, daily tour routines, and additional personnel resources for Constitution. He resumed “Old Ironsides Across the Nation” educational programs and normal seasonal underways in Boston Harbor. During his time in command, Neal conducted 15 underways. He also ensured that Commander, Navy Surface Forces approved and sponsored the George Sirian Meritorious Service Award, which is awarded annually by the local Surface Navy Association (SNA) Chapter.
Neal was promoted to captain in 2005, and later worked with the United States Strategic Command Center for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) from October 2006 to January 2007. In this post, Neal led analysis and briefings on weapons of mass destruction intelligence that went to leaders of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and U.S. Strategic Command Center for Combating WMDs. He served with the United States Strategic Command, Joint Elimination Coordination Element (JECE), from January 2007 to November 2009. There, he worked closely with the U.S. Army’s 20th Support Command as JECE chief of staff and led the development of the United States Strategic Command Joint Elimination Coordination Element. Neal retired from active duty at the end of 2010 and is currently a strategic program analyst with the Navy International Programs Office (NIPO).
