773rd Military Police Battalion welcomes new commander

By Spc. Garrett L. Dipuma, 241st Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard’s 773rd Military Police Battalion welcomed Lt. Col. Richard Douget as its new commander during a ceremony at Camp Beauregard in Pineville, Sep. 19.

“We will not fail. We will do this with tact, honor, and professionalism, for whoever spares the bad injures the good,” Douget said. “We will assist, protect, and defend our community, our state, and our country.”

Douget, of Metairie, has spent most of his 25-year military career serving the 773rd Military Police Battalion. He said that commanding the 773rd is a dream come true, and that he plans on making this military police battalion the best that he can.

“I’ve held this MP patch in my pocket for over two years, and now I’m back,” Douget said as he slapped the patch onto his right shoulder.

During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Glenn H. Curtis, LANG adjutant general, passed the battalion colors from outgoing commander Lt. Col. Mark Howard to Douget, symbolizing the transfer of command, accountability, responsibility and authority from one commander to another.

Howard was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his leadership of the unit.

“I’m very surprised it went by so quickly,” Howard said of his two years commanding the battalion. “This battalion is full of capable, fun loving soldiers, and we built a great team. I hope you all learned something under my tenure.”