La. Guard military police battalion welcomes new commander

By Sgt. Noshoba Davis, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office

PINEVILLE, La. – Louisiana National Guard’s Lt. Col. Richard Douget, of Baton Rouge, relinquished command of the 773rd Military Police Battalion to Lt. Col. Mark McCoy, of Winnfield, in an official ceremony at Esler Field in Pineville, Jan. 13.

“I want to thank Maj. Gen. Curtis for giving me this opportunity to serve,” said Douget. “It has truly been a lifetime experience.”

Douget, a 25-year veteran, enlisted in the United States Army as an infantryman in 1988. He was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant after a direct commission in 2000.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Government from Southeastern Louisiana University and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Southern University.

Douget served in a variety of command and staff assignments from platoon to brigade level to include: company team leader, battalion battle captain and joint force headquarters operations mobilization readiness officer. Douget has held his assignment as commander of the 773rd since August 2015 and is scheduled to attend the Navy War College in February.

“Richard, you are a professional officer who has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to our organization,” said Maj. Gen. Glenn Curtis, adjutant general of the LANG. “You are invaluable as a leader and have done a great job as commander of the 773rd.”

Some of Douget’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Humanitarian Service Medal with numerical 2 device, Louisiana Commendation Medal, Louisiana War Cross with three bronze fleur-de-lis devices and Louisiana Longevity medal.

“Maj. Gen. Curtis, thank you for having the confidence to afford me the opportunity to command this battalion. Words can’t describe my gratitude and appreciation of such an honor,” said McCoy. “Lt. Col. Douget, thank you for your support with a smooth transition, the leadership and care you have given these Soldiers and their families. Your time here has left a legacy that I can only hope to emulate as we move forward and continue to strive to raise the bar even more.”

McCoy enlisted in the LANG as a machinist in 1989. He became a second lieutenant through a direct commission in 1999. He has served as the surface maintenance manager for Joint Force Headquarters since May 2015, and is currently the deputy director of the joint chief of staff – logistics for the LANG JFHQ.

“To the Soldiers of the 773rd MP Battalion, I know of no other place I would rather be than here as part of this exceptional battalion,” said McCoy. “I am honored and yet humbled to be your commander.”

McCoy has deployed in support of Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom (III) and Operation New Dawn, as well as, Operation New Horizons in Belize. He has also supported several stateside missions to include: Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Isaac and the August Severe Weather in 2016.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Northwestern State University. He is a reserve deputy for the Grant Parish Sheriff’s office.

“Mark, has held a number of key leadership positions, and is more than qualified for this command,” said Curtis. “I am confident that he will keep the 773rd on their path of excellence.”

McCoy’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Iraq Campaign Medal with one bronze star, Humanitarian Service Ribbon, Military Volunteer Outstanding Service Medal, Louisiana War Cross, Louisiana Cold War Ribbon and Louisiana Longevity Ribbon.

McCoy is married to the former Deanna Beaubouef, of Effie. They have four children: Megan, Kristen, Taylor and Mark II.