La. Adjutant General achieves two-star general milestone
By Lt. Col. Noel Collins, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office
NEW ORLEANS, La. – Maj. Gen. Thomas C. Friloux, adjutant general of Louisiana, was promoted with his new rank during an official ceremony at the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness in Baton Rouge, July 3.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, commander-in-chief of the Louisiana National Guard, presided over the ceremony. Friloux’s wife, Laurie, had the honor of “pinning” the two-star rank insignia on the newly minted major general.
A major general is often referred to as a two-star general because of the rank insignia which bears two stars.
“I could think of no better time to have this promotion ceremony than amid hurricane season. Over the last six months the Guard has responded to a number of natural disasters that we have had, and y’all have done so with the utmost professionalism… the last six months has only reaffirmed my belief that the decision to promote Tommy to the TAG was the right one,” said Landry. “I can’t tell you how proud of you I am…again congratulations.”
Friloux officially assumed command as the 51st adjutant general of Louisiana in a ceremony last March attended by more than 600 Guardsmen. Adjutants general in the National Guard, at the direction of the governor, lead all National Guard operational missions and training. As such, Friloux often places an emphasis on building combat readiness in all opportunities.
The National Guard is the combat reserve of the United States Army. The Louisiana National Guard has deployed troops in support of federal operations every year since 2001.
“Governor Landry, thank you for putting me in this position. I told you the day you appointed me that the care that I have for my Soldiers and Airmen will always come before my needs,” said Friloux. “We’ve got a lot of work to do…this is an honor and privilege, now let’s go do things for the state of Louisiana. One team, one Louisiana.”
Friloux, who resides in New Orleans, La., has more than 36 years of military experience. In 1992, Friloux received his commission from the Louisiana National Guard’s Officer Candidate School as part of Class 32. His previous command positions include: Commander, A Troop 108th Cavalry; Commander, A Company 3-156th Infantry; Commander, B Company 3-156th Infantry; Commander, 2-156th Infantry; and Dual-Status Commander, Joint Task Force Louisiana.
Maj. Gen. Friloux mobilized into federal service four times throughout his career, including support for Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield, two deployments to Iraq and a US Northern Command mobilization in response to Hurricane Ida where he served as the Dual-Status Commander.
A lifelong learner, Friloux earned two advanced degrees, including a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College in 2016. His military awards and decorations are numerous and include the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
