By Staff Sgt. Noshoba Davis, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office
PINEVILLE, La. – Brig. Gen. Cindy Haygood retired from the Louisiana National Guard after 36 years of military and state service during an official ceremony at the Governor’s Offices of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness in Baton Rouge, May 15.
Haygood, a native of Leesville, Louisiana, achieved the rank of brigadier general in the Louisiana National Guard in 2020. Haygood served as the LANG assistant adjutant general- Army, where she was the principal advisor to the adjutant general and was responsible for assisting in the deployment and coordination of programs, policies, and plans for the Louisiana Army National Guard.
During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, adjutant general of Louisiana, spoke highly of Haygood’s accomplishments and influence over the years.
“You probably don’t remember when we met, but it was the summer of 1993. She was a junior officer candidate…She was confident, energetic and she was leading from the front,” said Friloux.
Friloux explained that since the beginning of the LANG’s Officer Candidate School, a total of 1,779 candidates have graduated and been commissioned as officers; of those, only nine have reached the rank of general officer.
“Cindy Haygood is one of those nine; that’s less than one percent. You’re extremely technically and tactically proficient, as well as a strategic thinker. Thank you for your endless mentorship of Soldiers and Airmen in our Guard throughout your career,” said Friloux.
In 1994, Haygood received her commission from the LAARNG, Officer Candidate School as the distinguished honor graduate. Over her 36-year career, she has held multiple positions, including assistant adjutant general- Army; commander, 225th Engineer Brigade; commander, 139th Regional Support Group; executive officer, 225th Engineer Brigade; and commander, 769th Engineer Battalion.
Brig. Gen. Haygood mobilized in 2007 in support of Iraqi Freedom and in 2019 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Additionally, she has responded to multiple storms, all-hazards events, and the COVID-19 response in the State of Louisiana.
“Standing here at the end of 36 years in the Louisiana National Guard is both humbling and surreal. When I raised my right hand as a young private in the 769th Engineer Battalion in Baton Rouge,” said Haygood. “I certainly did not imagine that one day, I would retire as a brigadier general.”
Haygood described the LANG as a second family and thanked her mentors, as well as her family for all of the encouragement and support throughout her career.
“What stands out the most is not the rank, not the positions, not the ceremonies, it’s the people. These Soldiers that trusted me, leaders who guided me, teams that made the impossible possible, the Guard family who showed up every time without fail; thank you,” said Haygood. “Thank you for your professionalism, grit, and unwavering commitment to the State of Louisiana and this Nation.”
In recognition of her service, Haygood was presented with the Distinguished Service Medal, the Louisiana Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, Certificate of Retirement, Certificate of Appreciation for Service, Certificate of Service, Minuteman Plaque, and was honored with a tribute in the official congressional record of the U.S. House of Representatives by former U.S. House of Representatives Congressman Garret Graves.
Her military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with two bronze oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Humanitarian Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Louisiana Legion of Merit, Louisiana Cross of Merit with one Bronze Fleur De Lis, Louisiana Commendation Medal with two Bronze Fleur De Lis, and Louisiana Emergency Ribbon with one Silver and two Bronze Fleur De Lis.
Haygood and her husband, retired Col. Bill Haygood, reside in Gonzales, Louisiana, and have two daughters: Madeline and Lauren.