BELLE — At just 18 years old, Dylan Neal is already charting a long-term path in Army aviation, one built on discipline, self-reliance and an unwavering goal to one day fly the aircraft he now helps keep in the air.

Neal said his decision to become a Black Hawk helicopter mechanic was driven by a clear ambition from the start. He saw maintenance as the most direct route forward to his real dream, piloting. By learning the aircraft inside and out, he plans to pursue the warrant officer track and eventually move from the ground to the cockpit.

“I want to fly the Blackhawk and I thought the best way to do so would be to first work on them and become a warrant officer to start flying them,” Neal said.

Growing up in rural communities also played a major role. Neal said experiencing both close-knit towns and more isolated living taught him two equally important lessons: how to work as part of a team and how to rely on himself when no one else was available. Understanding community, history and shared responsibility helped him see how different perspectives can solve problems, while solitude taught him that progress often depends on personal initiative.

That mindset proved critical during basic training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT). Neal said the most difficult part was not the technical material, but learning to manage people. Although everyone shared the same goal, he said individuals approached work differently, some rushing, others taking pride in precision, and some struggling to focus. Navigating those dynamics, while staying accountable for his own performance, became one of his biggest challenges.

Neal said his eight years in the Sea Cadet program gave him a strong foundation long before he entered the Army. Field training exercises that included rucking, building operating bases and conducting missions around the clock prepared him mentally and physically. The experience strengthened his leadership style, communication skills and problem-solving ability, making both basic training and AIT feel more manageable than he expected.

“All this basic training and AIT was a lot easier than I would have expected,” Neal said. “I was always ahead and out performing due to my experience through the sea cadets.”

It did not take long for Neal to grasp the gravity of his role. During the first week of AIT, he realized just how much depended on his attention to detail. As a 15T, Black Hawk repairer, he works on critical components that directly affect flight safety. Unlike fixed-wing aircrafts, helicopters do not glide if something fails. A missed step or improperly installed part can have catastrophic consequences for crews, missions and families. Neal said that reality sharpened his focus and reinforced the responsibility shared by everyone in Army aviation.

“If one thing goes wrong, that aircraft can go down with whatever, or worse, whomever is on board,” Neal said. “Every person, no matter the job or title, plays a very crucial role in keeping an aircraft in the sky.”

Support from family and community has been constant. Neal said encouragement came not only from relatives and close friends, but also from teachers, acquaintances and residents across small towns who followed his journey and offered words of support. He said the backing from Belle, Owensville, Bland and Linn has never stopped and continues to motivate him.

When asked what advice he would give young people from rural communities, Neal emphasized planning, self-reliance and respect.

“You are the only one who can hold you back and ultimately life is what you make it, so just make it what you can. Learn to do things yourself. Make your bed, do the dishes, do the laundry,” Neal said. “The little things add up, if you can learn to rely on yourself but still have others for guidance and support, you’ll get anywhere you have to or need to be. A really big aspect is respect. Respect and attitude is the start to any situation and in the end can be the winning or losing factor.”

Looking ahead, Neal plans to remain a 15T as long as possible, working toward the highest maintainer level while continuing to pursue bigger goals. He hopes to become a warrant officer, fly the Black Hawk and possibly the Apache, earn additional qualifications such as Air Assault, Airborne and Ranger tabs, and serve until retirement. He said he does not want to limit himself and intends to achieve as much as possible.

“You are the only one who can hold you back,” Neal said. “If you really believe that something can be done, or something can be accomplished, you’re more than likely going to have it come true.”

Neal expresses gratitude to those who support service members and their families, as well as volunteers and donors who often go unrecognized. He also thanked the communities that raised him, his family and friends and all those who have served.