Staff Sgt. Neil French, was born in Oceanside, California and has maintained an active lifestyle his whole life. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communications in May 2014 and enlisted into active duty as an intelligence professional June 10, 2014. He attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. After BCT he graduated Advanced Individual Training at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Following AIT, French went to Airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was then assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Eglin, Florida as an analyst for 7th group’s area of responsibility in South America. From 2016 to 2017, he deployed to Afghanistan with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, where he served as the Bravo team’s intelligence fusion cell non-commissioned officer in charge. After returning to the United States, French was reassigned to 8th Army at Camp Humphreys, South Korea where he served in the G2 as the daytime G2 NCOIC. January 1, 2018, French was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant where he served as the S2 NCOIC for Joint Functional Component Command- Noncombatant Evacuation Operations during exercise DONGMAENG 19-1. Following his time at 8th Army, French was selected as a member of the U.S. Army Warrior Fitness Team Fort Knox, Kentucky where he currently serves a squad leader and athlete.
French's military education includes the following: 7th Group Headquarters Language Learning Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Ranger Training and Assessment Course, Generator Operators Course, Joint Human Intelligence Analyst and Targeting Course Basic Leaders Course, Combatives level 1 and 2, Joint Special Operations University’s Unconventional Warfare Academic Program, and Basic Airborne Course.
French has competed in fitness events since his senior year of high school and has won multiple local competitions in California, Florida, and Korea, as well as multiple team competitions in Florida. French’s passion for fitness doesn’t stop with functional fitness, as he has also competed in multiple triathlons, Olympic weightlifting, physique, and strongman. He holds a level 1 certification in Crossfit and Olympic weightlifting.
His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with 1 bronze oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Metal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, and Parachute Badge.