Mark O'Neill
North 1973
Brigadier General Mark O'Neill graduated from North High in 1973. He has a bachelor of science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a master's degree in national security affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif. He lives in Fairfax Station, VA.
Mark is a brigadier general in the United States Army. He has commanded on the company, battalion and brigade levels, leading 2,500 soldiers in his most recent command. During his battalion command he led peacekeeping forces in Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti. Mark has been selected three times for early promotion, most recently as brigadier general.
Proficient in Mandarin Chinese, Mark was selected to represent the Army at the American embassy in Beijing. He was also selected as a strategic analyst twice in the Pentagon, once working with the former army chief of staff. Mark was selected as chief of staff of one of ten active divisions in the army and is the executive officer for the four-star general of training and doctrine command.
Mark has achieved a number of decorations and badges, including the master parachutist badge, the pathfinder badge, the defense meritorious service medal and the ranger tab. He is currently a member of Seminar 21, which gathers academics, military members and civilians each month to discuss current topics in the geo-political realm.
Parkway juniors and seniors benefited from Mark's wisdom and experience when he spoke to them last year about military service, the academy and the army as a way of life. He is an active volunteer, donating time to his sons' Boy Scout and Cub Scout groups.