Fallbrook native a triple threat as a Navy diver, rugby player and naval officer

Fallbrook native a triple threat as a Navy diver, rugby player and naval officer

For Full Story: https://navyoutreach.blogspot.com/2024/04/fallbrook-native-triple-threat-as-navy.html

By Chief Logistics Specialist Joshua Montes, Officer Training Command Newport

In the annals of remarkable individuals who embody the essence of dedication, Ensign Megan Neyen stands as a beacon of inspiration.

From the depths of the ocean as a Navy diver to the rugged rugby fields, her journey is a testament to her unwavering spirit and unrelenting pursuit of excellence as she embarks on a new chapter as a naval officer.

Neyen’s journey began in Fallbrook, California, where she discovered her affinity for the water and her love for sports at a young age. Raised in a family with a strong military tradition, her parents and older brother served in the United States Marine Corps, and she also has a brother serving in the United States Army. Her path seemed preordained, yet her achievements have exceeded all expectations.

One of Neyen’s most distinguished accomplishments was completing Navy Dive School at the Center for Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Diving, Panama City, Florida, in 2021. This specialized field demands an extraordinary level of physical and mental fortitude. Her days are filled with tasks ranging from underwater maintenance to salvage operations, often in challenging and treacherous conditions. Her unwavering commitment to mastering this demanding profession has earned her the admiration of peers and superiors alike.

“I chose to be a diver because in high school my rugby team did this SEAL training and I LOVED it,” Neyen said. “I loved how physically exhausting it was and mentally challenging. They told me that women could be divers and they go through this training, and I instantly was sold. But I told myself I must finish playing rugby before I join the Navy. So that has always been a goal of mine, to be a Navy diver.

“I will never forget being yelled at in dive school for taking more weight than the men for a farmer’s carry, and someone switched with me for a split second, and I was told I needed to keep a higher standard as a woman. Most men have never even worked with a female diver. It’s different, not in a bad way but something I wasn’t used to.”

Neyen started playing rugby in middle school when her PE teacher encouraged her to try out for the team. She immediately fell in love with the sport after her first practice.

Off-duty, she trades her diving gear for rugby boots. Her proficiency on the rugby pitch has not only garnered respect within the Navy community when she was recruited to join the Navy women’s rugby team in 2022 but has also propelled her to compete at national and international levels as a member of the U.S. Women’s rugby team in 2023. Her athleticism and strategic acumen make her a formidable force in the rugby arena, a testament to her dedication and passion for the sport.