Staff Sergeant Daniel G. Neild is a Security Forces Instructor assigned to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Sergeant Neild enlisted in the Air Force in 2006 and arrived at Lackland AFB, Texas , in June 2006 for Basic Training. Upon graduating Basic Training and the Security Forces Academy, Sergeant Neild was assigned to the 822nd Security Forces Squadron at Moody AFB, Georgia as a Ground Combat Specialist.
In 2007, Sergeant Neild was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned to the 16th Military Police Brigade, Airborne, as a tactical vehicle driver for Area Security Operations. During this time, Sergeant Neild conducted over 110 combat missions and 11 combat sorties in support of Joint Task Force 134. On 17 October 2007, while conducting a route sweep on Main Supply Route (MSR) Sioux Falls, the lead vehicle that Sgt. Neild was driving was stuck by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
In 2008, Staff Sergeant Neild was deployed again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He worked under the 2nd of the 113th Infantry Battalion as a Fire Team Leader and an Emergency Medical Technician. During this time Sergeant Neild led over 150 combat patrols as a part of Task Force Bucca. In 2009 Sergeant Neild was deployed in direct support of Operation New Dawn. He worked under the 2nd of the 127th Infantry Battalion as a Fire Team Leader. Sergeant Neild led over 122 combat patrols in support of Joint Task Force 134.
Upon return from his last deployment Sgt. Neild was having increasing difficulties adjusting and was diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from the IED blast as well as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Sergeant Neild was retroactively awarded the Purple Heart. This is when Sgt. Neild was introduced to archery as a form of recreational therapy. He immediately fell in love with the sport and found that it was helping with his symptoms. Sergeant Neild retired from the Air Force on 28 December 2013.
In 2007, Sergeant Neild was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned to the 16th Military Police Brigade, Airborne, as a tactical vehicle driver for Area Security Operations. During this time, Sergeant Neild conducted over 110 combat missions and 11 combat sorties in support of Joint Task Force 134. On 17 October 2007, while conducting a route sweep on Main Supply Route (MSR) Sioux Falls, the lead vehicle that Sgt. Neild was driving was stuck by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
In 2008, Staff Sergeant Neild was deployed again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He worked under the 2nd of the 113th Infantry Battalion as a Fire Team Leader and an Emergency Medical Technician. During this time Sergeant Neild led over 150 combat patrols as a part of Task Force Bucca. In 2009 Sergeant Neild was deployed in direct support of Operation New Dawn. He worked under the 2nd of the 127th Infantry Battalion as a Fire Team Leader. Sergeant Neild led over 122 combat patrols in support of Joint Task Force 134.
Upon return from his last deployment Sgt. Neild was having increasing difficulties adjusting and was diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from the IED blast as well as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Sergeant Neild was retroactively awarded the Purple Heart. This is when Sgt. Neild was introduced to archery as a form of recreational therapy. He immediately fell in love with the sport and found that it was helping with his symptoms. Sergeant Neild retired from the Air Force on 28 December 2013.
