On October 1, 2010 at 3:00 p.m., a retirement ceremony was held in honor of Master Sergeant Edward D. McNeil at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.  Master Sergeant McNeil, a Dillon native, was honored for 21 years of distinguished service.  Master Sergeant Edward D. McNeil is the Commandant of the CMSAF Donald L. Harlow, Airman Leadership School, 11th Wing, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.  He entered the Air Force in September 1989.  After graduating from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, he continued his Air Force education at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.  There he graduated from Financial Management School in December 1989 and was assigned to the 633rd Comptroller Squadron, Anderson AFB, Guam.  In January 1992, he was reassigned to the 7th Comptroller Squadron, Carswell AFB, Texas.  In August 1993, he was reassigned to Defense Finance and Accounting, Bolling AFB, D.C.  While at Bolling he was named Defense Airman of the Year.  In March of
1997, he was reassigned to Defense Finance and Accounting Service in Orlando, Florida.  In October 1998, he received the First Sergeants Diamond Sharp Award  In April 1999, he entered Professional Military Education and was assigned to the SMSgt David B. Reid Airman Leadership School, Shaw AFB, South Carolina.  While there, he won several awards to include, 20th Mission Support Squadron NCO of the Year.  In June 2004, Sergeant McNeil was reassigned to the 89th Comptroller Squadron, Andrews AFB, Maryland.  While there he was named 89th Comptroller Squardon NCO of the Year and Headquarters Air Mobility Command Financial Management NCO of the Year.  In December 2005, Sergeant McNeil was promoted to Master Sergeant under the Stripes for Exceptional Performers Program, In August 2006, he was reassigned as Commandant of the Bolling Airman Leadership School, Bolling AFB, D.C.  He assumed his current duties in July of 2007.  His military decorations include the
Joint Forces Commendation Medal, the Air Force commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal (two oak leaf clusters), the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (five oak leaf clusters), the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
MSgt McNeil’s education includes: B.A., Human Resource Administration, Saint Leo University, Saint Leo, Florida, A.A.S., Instructor of Technology and Military Science, Community College of the Air Force, A.A.S., Financial Management, Community College of the Air Force, A.A.S., Liberal Arts, Saint Leo University, Florida.
MSgt McNeil is married to the former Sharon Thompson of Dillon, SC.  They have one daughter, Erin and two sons, Edward Jr. and Evan.  MSgt McNeil is the son of the late Mr. John McNeil, and Mrs. Donella McNeil of Dillon, SC.