Retired Military
22 Years
U.S. Army leadership experience
Ed.D
Doctoral Graduate from Liberty University
Doctoral research in JROTC educator effectiveness
JPA Accreditation
Scores
95.4 — Honor Unit with Distinction
90.0 — Proficient Rating Fewer than 10% of Army JROTC units earn Honor Unit with Distinction.
THE LPTM THEORY
Five Ships. One Leadership Journey.
Every transformational leader navigates five essential relationships. The LPTM™ uses the metaphor of ships to make each one visible, teachable, and measurable.
Friend
SHIP
Building authentic bonds that create psychological safety and trust within teams.
Citizen
SHIP
Developing responsibility, character, and contribution to something larger than self.
Leader
SHIP
The core of the model — transforming how individuals see and exercise their influence.
Mentor
SHIP
Investing in others' growth through guidance, modeling, and intentional development.
Partner
SHIP
Aligning stakeholders , families, schools, and communities around a shared mission.
The Leadership Odyssey — How transformation happens
Instructor
self-awareness
Student mindset
transformed
Mental compass
calibrated
Program
outcomes met
Five ships
activated
"The leader's mental compass determines which ship they're sailing and where their students will land."
— Dr. NaAngela O'Neal, Ed.D · LPTM-Leadership, LLC™
The gap that most academic institutions don't know they have
Strong academic institutions don't happen by accident. They're built by educators who understand how to transform a student's mindset and not just manage their behavior.
The LPTM™ was developed from 17 years of JROTC instruction and doctoral research to close that gap.
The Evidence Base
National research supports what LPTM™ delivers: RAND Corporation (2023) found that JROTC participation correlates with higher graduation rates, lower disciplinary actions, and increased student confidence. LPTM™ was built to amplify exactly these outcomes at the instructor level because the instructor is the variable RAND couldn't control for.
Programs assessed by Dr. O'Neal have achieved JPA scores of 95.4 and 90.0 — placing them in the top tier nationally.
What a LPTM™-trained program looks like
Measurable Student Growth
Assessment inventories tied to your program goals.
Educator Consistency
A shared framework that is not dependent on one standout educator.
School Alignment
LPTM™ bridges JROTC foundation to your school's broader mission.
Services
1
Professional Development
On-site or virtual LPTM™ training for your educators. Instructors leave with a shared framework, a common language for leadership development, and practical tools they can use in the classroom the following week.
2
Program Assessment
A 30–60 day structured review of your program's leadership culture, accreditation readiness, and growth gaps delivered as a written roadmap with prioritized, research-aligned recommendations.
3
Keynote Speaking
Dr. O'Neal brings the LPTM™ Theory to your leadership summit, faculty convening, or district event. Audiences leave with a new way of thinking about what they owe their students and themselves.
The Frequently Asked Questions Gap
Liberty University doctoral research on JROTC instructor leadership practices found that administrators and instructors cited lack of clarity about program scope and implementation expectations as a primary barrier to adopting new frameworks.
About: Why administrators trust Dr. O'Neal
Dr. NaAngela O'Neal
Ed.D · Author · Speaker
Dr. NaAngela O'Neal brings nearly four decades of combined military and educational leadership to every stage she steps onto. As a 22-year Army veteran and Bronze Star Medal recipient and 17-year JROTC master instructor, she doesn't speak from theory; she speaks from a classroom, a barracks, and a doctoral dissertation. Her audiences leave not just inspired, but equipped.
She has sat in your instructor's seat, built programs from the ground up, and measured outcomes with academic rigor.
Is LPTM™ only for JROTC programs?
The framework was developed in JROTC but applies to any secondary leadership development program. The five "ships" translate to any institutional context where adults are developing young leaders.
What does a typical engagement look like?
Most programs start with a half-day or full-day workshop for instructors, followed by a program assessment 30–60 days later. Ongoing partnerships are structured quarterly.
How is LPTM™ different from standard professional development?
Most PD is one-and-done. LPTM™ gives instructors a shared language, a measurable framework, and ongoing tools so outcomes don't depend on one standout educator.
Is this research-backed?
Yes. The model is grounded in Dr. O'Neal's doctoral research, indexed on ERIC and ProQuest, and informed by 17 years of JROTC instruction and documented accreditation outcomes.
What to Expect
Ideal for professional development days. One cohort of instructors. LPTM™ framework introduction and practical applications.
Workshop (Half Day or Full Day)
A 30–60 day structured review of your program's leadership culture, accreditation readiness, and growth gaps. Delivered as a written roadmap with prioritized recommendations.
Program Assessment
Quarterly touchpoints, instructor coaching, and ongoing measurement review. Best for programs in a multi-year growth or rebuild phase.
Ongoing Partnership
What program leaders are saying:
@DeanOfStudentAffairs-y8s-YouTube comment
"Thank you, Dr. O'Neal, for the invite to read your book, "The Art of JROTC Instructor Leadership-. . . " and to view your video. My review is that your video stayed on theme- Why do You Lead?-was complete and refreshing to know that there are still educators not burned out enough to still have the passion to lead. Your book is a must read! I will panel your book to be considered for peer review and possible college course book list for students. Great job!"
What educators are saying:
@Dr. PaulaC.125-YouTube comment
"As a Teacher Specialist for Maryland School District, Dr. O'Neal breaks this down to a simple understanding. Leaders definitely need training because leadership is a life-long skill. The educational arena showed me for years there was a huge difference between a leader and a boss. I learned so much from creative leaders who wanted nothing more but to share their knowledge with me for preparation of higher opportunities. When you're invested in students' transformations, Dr. O'neal you are creating a culture of continuous improvement that benefits everyone. I enjoyed this video."
@fullforce2-f1u--YouTube comment
"I never knew the JROTC program could be transformational. I always shy away because of the strict and mean sergeants. Thank you for the video."
Testimonials
The Research Behind the Model
Why you should book NaAngela O'Neal for your next event?
The Art of JROTC Instructor Leadership is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
"I will panel your book to be considered for peer review and possible college course book list," Dean of Student Affairs. A Dean of Student Affairs said on YouTube, publicly and without being asked, that they would recommend your book for a peer-review panel and a college course reading list.
Ready to Elevate your Program
Whether you're preparing for accreditation, rebuilding your program's culture, or developing educators, LPTM™ is your framework.
