Sgt. 1st Class Alexander Deal was born in Columbus, GA, and graduated from Kendrick High School of Columbus, GA, in 2006. He earned his bachelor's degree in management studies from the University of Maryland Global Campus in 2019. He enlisted in the Army in May of 2012 and went to Infantry One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning.
Upon graduation Deal was assigned to A Co. 2-508th PIR 4th BCT 82nd Airborne Division. While with the 82nd Deal deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan from December 2013 to August 2014. He PCS’d to the 3rd Infantry Regiment in October 2016 and was assigned to the Presidential Escort Platoon. In 2019, he volunteered for and began training at The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. Deal successfully completed training and was awarded the Tomb Guard Identification Badge, #678. After competing as a summer shooter for the USAMU Service Rifle Section during the 2021 season, Deal PCS’d to Fort Benning, GA where he was assigned to the USAMU Service Rifle Section. Deal won the non-distinguished category during the 2022 Eastern Games and earned an 8-point leg at Camp Perry. Deal was the assistant coach for the winning 2022 Service Rifle 10-man team. He was also the coach for the winning long range service rifle 4-man teams at both Interservice and Camp Perry during the 2022 season. He also served as a firing member for the US National Rifle Team during the DCRA Nationals, winning both the Outlander and America Team Matches. Deal was a firing member of the winning Dixie Doubles Team Match at the Talladega 600 match.
His military training includes Airborne School; Basic Leader Course; Advanced Leader Course; Maneuver Senior Leaders Course.
His awards include the Three Army Commendation Medals, Four Army Achievement Medals, Meritorious Unit Citation, 3 Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Three Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Tomb Guard Identification Badge, Presidents Hundred Tab, Expert Infantryman Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, Excellence in Competition Bronze Badge (Rifle and Pistol),