Naperville Native, Submarine Officer Participates In Bilateral Naval Exercise In Japan

By Ashley Craig, Navy Office of Community Outreach

Lt. Dan Meaney, a native of Naperville, Illinois, recently participated in Exercise Keen Edge 2024 while serving the U.S. Navy in Japan. 

Meaney graduated from Neuqua High School in 2010. Meaney earned a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2014 and a master’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2020.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Naperville.

“Life is all about relationships,” said Meaney. “Growing up, I learned to aim higher, look people in the eye and treat others with respect. It’s also important to cooperate with others who are not in your innermost circle.”

Meaney joined the Navy 10 years ago. Today, Meaney serves as a submarine officer.

“After growing up in Naperville, it was easy to see that our community and country had been immensely blessed with a variety of opportunities,” said Meaney. “Deciding to serve in the Navy was an easy decision after understanding that it would be a way for me to express my gratitude. It is an absolute privilege to lead in the most advanced submarine force in the world.”

Meaney is certified by Naval Reactors and the Department of Energy as a nuclear engineer. Meaney has been selected to serve in the Navy Reserves as a lieutenant commander and works now for Northrop Grumman Space Systems.

Keen Edge is a bilateral command post exercise conducted by the U.S. military and Japan’s Self Defense Forces, with participation from the Australian Defence Force. The exercise ran from January 31 to February 7 and is the latest in a series of joint command post exercises designed to increase the integrated joint operational capability, refine command and control procedures and enhance cooperation between the participating nations.

“Our sailors benefit greatly from training opportunities such as Exercise Keen Edge to develop our skills, build relationships, and enhance our warfighting readiness,” said Capt. Norman Beznoska, U.S. Forces Japan Navy Reserve Unit commanding officer. “As this exercise demonstrates, we can quickly augment the active-duty staff in Japan and support our counterparts in both day-to-day activities of the command and in times of crisis.”

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Meaney serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

Meaney has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“Individual accolades are not the focus of my efforts, but rather the accomplishments of the team,” said Meaney. “Whenever the team is successful, individual success almost always follows immediately. When our submarine won the Battle Efficiency Award in 2017, I was immensely proud because it symbolized our deliberate efforts to maximize combat efficiency in the most challenging environments, the primary mission entrusted to us by the American people.”

Meaney can take pride in serving America through military service.

“I am always surprised by how many people have several veterans within their family lineage,” said Meaney. “Serving in the Navy humbles me as there have been so many incredible Americans and their families who have dedicated their lives to preserve our readiness at all corners of the world, depths and altitudes.”