Neil Woodward graduated from Putnam City High School in 1980. While in high school he was a member of many clubs including Math, Science and Engineering Club, Biology, German, Model UN, Leadership Class and National Honor Society.

Woodward went on to receive a degree in Physics from MIT in 1984 and a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. In 1988 he joined the U.S. Navy where he served as a pilot, bombardier and navigator in many different aircraft including the F/A-18 Hornet.

In June 1998 he was selected for astronaut candidate school that included intensive instruction in shuttle and International Space Station systems, physiological training and ground school to prepare for flight training. He spent time in Russia assisting the space station crew and training with the Russian astronauts. 

Woodward is currently on detached duty to NASA headquarters in Washington DC, as the deputy director for Constellation Systems in the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. He is on the team that is building the space and ground systems necessary to return the United States to the Moon and on to Mars.