La. Guard intelligence battalion welcomes new commander and sergeant major
By Staff Sgt. Noshoba Davis, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office
PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana National Guard’s 415th Military Intelligence Battalion (Interrogation) welcomed its new command team, Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Barrett Lancon and Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Jon Mount, during an official change of command and change of responsibility ceremony at Gillis W. Long Center in Carville, July 20.
Lancon succeeds Lt. Col. Robert Allen, who had served as the commander since February 2023. “I am humbled to be taking command of this historic military intelligence battalion,” said Lancon. “Maj. Gen. Friloux, thank you for me giving the opportunity to command the best battalion in the Louisiana National Guard. I understand the trust and confidence you put in your leaders and commanders, and I can assure you I will be committed and continue to raise the bar.”
“Lt. Col. Allen, thank you for your leadership, dedication and commitment to the Cobras over the last 18 months. I look forward to picking up where you left off and taking this great group of Soldiers to the next level,” concluded Lancon.
A native of Saint Martinville, Lancon enlisted in the Louisiana Army National Guard in 1999 and attended the LANG Officer Candidate School, commissioning as a second lieutenant in 2002.
Lancon currently resides in New Orleans with his wife, Laura, and their three children. He holds a Bachelor of General Studies with a focus in Criminal Justice from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Lancon currently serves as the force integration readiness officer / mobilization division chief for the LANG.
Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, the adjutant general of Louisiana, presided over the ceremony and spoke highly of both commanders.
In his address to the outgoing commander, Friloux stated, “Lt. Col. Allen, congratulations on a successful command; job well done. I know under your leadership, the 415th achieved some impressive milestones. Under your and Command Sgt. Maj. Darby’s command, the 415th reached 98.3% DMOSQ, the highest in the state, 95% security clearance, the highest in the state, which is what I would expect from a MI [military intelligence] battalion, and 98% on your Command Supply Discipline Program inspection.”
Welcoming the incoming commander, Friloux continued, “Lt. Col. Lancon, congratulations. Welcome to command; enjoy it. It’s the best time in your career. You’re no stranger to the 415th. You’ve got some big shoes to fill. You’ve earned this position.”
In a time-honored tradition known as the passing of the organizational colors, Lt. Col. Allen received the battalion colors from Command Sgt. Maj. Mount and then passed them to Maj. Gen. Friloux, symbolizing his relinquishment of command. Friloux then passed the colors to Lt. Col. Lancon, symbolizing the beginning of his command. Lancon then passed the colors back to Mount to complete the ceremony.
Allen, a native of Dothan, Alabama, began his military career in the United States Marine Corps in 1988. He left the Marines in 1992 and joined the LANG in December of 1999. He received his commission after completing the accelerated course at Fort McClellan, Alabama’s Officer Candidate School in August 2002.
Allen holds a Bachelor of Liberal Studies in social science and criminal justice from Loyola University and a master’s degree in business security management from Webster University in St. Louis.
“When I took command almost 18 months ago, I stated that I had returned to my family. Those words still stand true. Today, I can’t describe how proud I am to have been your battalion commander,” said Allen. “As I approach my upcoming retirement, I can honestly say I’m going out on top. I will be forever grateful for my time at the 415th, and this battalion will always have a special place in my heart.”
During the ceremony, the 415th welcomed Mount as their new senior enlisted advisor. Command Sgt. Maj. Clifford Ockman Jr., the senior enlisted leader of Louisiana, conducted the passing of the noncommissioned officer sword, a tradition used to symbolize the transfer of responsibility and authority that comes with the senior enlisted position.
“Congratulations, Command Sgt. Maj. Mount, as the incoming sergeant major. Take care of our troops and look after their well-being,” said Friloux.
Organized in 1989, the 415th provides intelligence support to tactical, operational and strategic-level commanders to defeat adversaries, promote regional stability, support allies and protect the interests of the United States. The battalion received the Meritorious Unit Citation of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007 and for Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012. The 415th was activated for multiple all-hazards events throughout the last decade. Members of the battalion have participated in deployments around the world, including Cuba, the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, Kosovo, Kuwait, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Haiti, Iraq and Afghanistan.