Photo By Staff Sgt. David Kirtland | Maj. Gen. Thomas C. Friloux, adjutant general of Louisiana, delivers remarks during...... read more read more
Subscribe
NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard’s 773rd Military Police Battalion, known as “The Bulldogs,” held a change of command ceremony Nov. 3 at LANG Training Center Pineville, where outgoing commander Lt. Col. Doris Reed relinquished command to incoming commander Lt. Col. Daniel Gaskins.
“Lt. Col. Reed, thank you for your steadfast leadership, dedication and commitment to the Bulldogs over the past three years,” said Gaskins in his first address as battalion commander. “I look forward to continuing our efforts of taking this talented group of Soldiers to the next level.”
Gaskins, who has served with the LANG for 29 years, received his commission from Officer Candidate School in 2006. He graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in industrial technology from the College of Engineering and earned a Master of Business Administration from the American Military University in 2021. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Operation Iraqi Freedom Medal, Louisiana War Cross, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge, among other federal and state awards.
Maj. Gen. Thomas C. Friloux, adjutant general of Louisiana, formally transferred leadership by presenting the organizational colors to Gaskins.
“Lt. Col. Reed, job well done. You are now advancing to greater responsibility and positions,” said Friloux, addressing both the outgoing and incoming commanders. “Lt. Col. Gaskins, you have held the necessary positions, gained the education and acquired the experience for this role. You are ready for it.”
Friloux presented Reed, who will advance to the role of Deputy Joint Director of Military Support, with the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of her dedication and service to the 773rd MP Battalion.
“To the Soldiers of the 773rd MP Battalion, thank you for adapting to new leadership styles and approaches to problem solving,” said Reed in her farewell remarks. “As you welcome new leadership, I challenge you to keep the momentum.”
Command Sgt. Major Clifford Ockman, command senior enlisted leader for the Louisiana National Guard, presented the noncommissioned officer’s sword to incoming senior enlisted advisor for the 773rd, Command Sgt. Maj. James Clark, marking a transfer of responsibility from outgoing senior enlisted advisor Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Verdis Walker.
The 773rd MP Battalion mobilized to Poznan, Poland, from 2023-2024 as part of Operation European Assure, Deter, Reinforce. During this deployment, the battalion managed military police operations across Eastern Europe and ensured the security of more than 120 escort missions supporting shipments to Ukraine.
| Date Taken: | 11.06.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 11.19.2024 14:34 |
| Story ID: | 484753 |
| Location: | PINEVILLE, LOUISIANA, US |
| Hometown: | ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA, US |
| Hometown: | DALLAS, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | PINEVILLE, LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 24 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, La. Guard’s 773rd Military Police Battalion welcomes new commander, by SSG David Kirtland, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
