La. Guard Maj. Gen. Lee Hopkins retires after 40 years of distinguished service

By Staff Sgt. David C. Kirtland, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office

NEW ORLEANS – Maj. Gen. Lee Hopkins retired from the Louisiana National Guard after 40 years of military service during an official ceremony at the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness in Baton Rouge, Oct. 4.

During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Thomas C. Friloux, adjutant general of Louisiana, highlighted Hopkins’ numerous roles throughout his service in the LANG as well as the mentorship Hopkins provided.

“In every job you’ve had, you’ve set a standard for the next person to try their best to emulate,” said Friloux. “You’ve made a lasting impression on this organization.” Friloux also emphasized the outstanding and unparalleled work ethic of Hopkins.

Hopkins, a Bogalusa native, enlisted in the 205th Engineer Battalion in 1983 and commissioned through the LANG’s Officer Candidate School in 1986. He holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Louisiana State University and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College.

Hopkins served in various leadership and staff assignments at the company and battalion level. He was selected to serve as the battalion commander of the 1088th Engineer Battalion in December 2003 and led the battalion in Baghdad, Iraq during 2004-2005 in support of the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and Multinational Division – Baghdad. Upon his return from Iraq, he served as executive officer for the 256th IBCT and later as the deputy commander of the 225th Engineer Brigade.

Throughout his career, Hopkins held key leadership roles in the LANG, including recruiting and retention commander, joint director of military support and director of plans and operations (J3/7), director of the joint staff and the assistant adjutant general.

In his role as director of the joint staff, Hopkins was responsible for directing, supervising, training and coordinating the staff and plans affecting more than 11,500 members of the LANG. He was also designated as the dual status commander, notably for the early phase of the COVID response effort.

Promoted to major general in August 2021, he served as assistant adjutant general of Louisiana, acting as the principal military advisor to the adjutant general. In this role, he assisted in the deployment and coordination of programs, policies and plans for the Louisiana Army and Air National Guard. Hopkins simultaneously served as the director of the Louisiana Military Department.

In his retirement address, Hopkins thanked the members of the Louisiana National Guard and gave credit to the organization for shaping his career.

“They took a country boy from Bogalusa, Louisiana, with a public-school education, and at 17 years old, made me a private. They trained me, mentored me, guided me and coached me,” said Hopkins “But all along the way they prepared me for every position I was in and every position I was going to be in, so I could contribute to this organization.”

Hopkins continued, “My family deserves more appreciation and recognition than I do because I volunteered for this. For them, they got ‘volun-told,’ but they served willingly and honorably to this State and this Nation,” he said. “They never made me choose between them and the military.”

Hopkins’ awards and decorations include the: Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, multiple Meritorious Service Medals, multiple Army Commendation Medals, multiple Army Achievement Medals, Combat Action Badge, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, U.S. Coast Guard Special Operations Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon and numerous state awards.

During the retirement ceremony, Friloux presented Hopkins with the Distinguished Service Medal, a Certificate of Retirement, and the coveted National Guard Minuteman Plaque in recognition of his years of service and dedication to the LANG.

Hopkins and his wife, Lori, reside in St. Francisville, Louisiana, and have two daughters, Ellen and Emma.