Colonel Neary was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Virginia Military Institute in 1988.

In May 1988, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. Upon graduation from The Basic School (TBS) and Infantry Officers Course, Colonel Neary reported to First Battalion, First Marines. From March 1989 to July 1992, he served as a rifle platoon commander and 81mm mortar platoon commander; he made (2) West Pac deployments in addition to participating in Operation Desert Shield/Storm.

After receiving orders, he reported to TBS to serve as a tactics instructor and student platoon commander. Following his assignment to TBS, he attended the Amphibious Warfare School, Quanticio, Virginia.

In May 1996, Colonel Neary was assigned to Third Battalion, Third Marines in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. He served as the Commanding Officer of Company I and the Operations Officer. After (2) Unit Deployments (UDP) to Okinawa, he attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College.

In 2000, he was assigned as the Commanding Officer of Recruiting Station New Jersey. In July 2003, he received orders to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He reported to the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (AT) and served as the Future Operations Officer. After 8 months in the MEB, Colonel Neary reported to 8th Marines and assumed duties in Haiti as the Plans Officer and Executive Officer for MAGTF 8 in support of Operation SECURE TOMORROW.

In July 2004, Colonel Neary assumed command of Third Battalion, Eighth Marines. Colonel Neary led the Battalion to Fallujah in January 2005 for OIF III and to Ramadi in March 2006 for OIF V. After relinquishing command, he finished up his tour as the Division Plans Officer.

Colonel Neary reported to the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island in March 2007 where he attained his second master’s degree. In March 2008, Colonel Neary was assigned to the Joint Warfighting Center J7, Suffolk, Virginia as a Plans Observer Trainer.

His personal decorations include two Bronze Stars with “V”, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two stars and a third with Combat “V”, and the Combat Action Ribbon with one star. He is authorized to wear military jump wings.

Colonel Neary is married with two children.