A native of Concord, Massachusetts, Commander O’Neil graduated from The College of the Holy Cross in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Program and reported to NAS Pensacola, Florida, for flight training. He earned his Naval Aviator wings at NAS Kingsville, Texas, in February 2012 and subsequently reported to VFA-106 “Gladiators” for initial fleet training in the F/A-18C Hornet.

Commander O’Neil began his operational flying in May 2013 with the “Blue Blasters” of VFA-34. While assigned to VFA-34, he completed two deployments: one aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) supporting RIMPAC 2014, and another aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) during its homeport change to Norfolk, Virginia, supporting SOUTHERN SEAS 2015.

He then reported to the “Vikings” of VAQ-129, the EA-18G Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), as an instructor pilot. Following transition training to the EA-18G, Commander O’Neil served as an instructor pilot for three years, training Navy, Air Force, and Royal Australian Air Force replacement aircrews in the EA-18G.

Commander O’Neil returned to the fleet as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces, serving as the Strike Operations Officer for team “BADMAN” of Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5), stationed at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. While with CVW-5, he deployed twice to the INDOPACIFIC aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

He subsequently transferred to NAS Lemoore for his department head tour with the “Stingers” of VFA-113. During this tour, he completed a WESTPAC deployment aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), serving as both Maintenance and Operations Officer.

Following his department head tour, Commander O’Neil served as an action officer on the Joint Staff, J-6 Directorate, directly supporting the Joint Force as an action officer for tactical data links. He was recognized as the Joint Staff J-6 Action Officer of the Year in 2023. Selected for squadron command in March 2023, he reported to VFA-192 as the Executive Officer in March 2025.

Commander O’Neil has accumulated over 2,000 flight hours, primarily in the F/A-18 A-F Hornet/Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler. He has completed more than 350 carrier arrested landings and has received numerous personal and unit awards and commendations.
 

Last Updated: 29 September 2025