Louisiana National Guard War Veterans Promoted Sr. Officer Candidate Erin Robicheaux 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment Public Affairs Representative
OPELOUSAS, La.—On Sunday, June 11, not one, but two Louisiana National Guard veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom III were promoted to first lieutenant at the D Company, 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment armory.  Robert Arcement of New Iberia and Darby Boudreaux of St. Martinville were recognized in a ceremony in front of their fellow Soldiers and families. Arcement served as a project manager in Iraq when he deployed with the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in 2004, and was responsible for many of the essential services that the people of Baghdad now have. “I was part of missions that brought water, electricity, and sewer services to our area of operations,” he said.  “We accomplished about 50 missions and executed $154 million in projects.” In Iraq, D Company, 3-156th was actually A Company, part of 1088th Engineer Battalion based in New Orleans. The 256th IBCT underwent a transformation and A Company became D Company, and was transferred to 3-156th, a light infantry unit.  Arcement said even though they are no longer part of an engineer battalion, his Soldiers' mission has not changed that much. “We were a combat engineer unit, and like all jobs in the Army these days, we're all infantrymen first,” he explained. Boudreaux is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in biochemistry, but today he is a state employee and works as a project manager at the Louisiana National Guard's Construction Facility Management Office in Carville. The 14-year veteran of the Guard also served in Iraq as a platoon leader for A Company, 1088th, and like Arcement, conducted missions to help provide a better way of life for people in his area of operations. “I was part of the explosive ordinance disposal team, and we saved more than 500 IEDs,” he said.  “IEDs, or improvised explosive devices, are one of the largest killers of United States forces in Iraq.” Boudreaux said he led his platoon in clearing over 3,000 miles of routes, a feat that saved countless U.S. and Iraqi lives. He came home early from Iraq after being injured in an attack. “I suffered some shrapnel injuries, but it wasn't anything that could keep me down for long,” he said. Boudreaux also received an Army Commendation Medal for valor for saving one of his Soldiers' lives. “Our patrol was ambushed and one of the guys took a bullet,” he said. “I'm also a paramedic, so I just went into that mode automatically.” He currently serves as his unit's executive officer. Arcement and Boudreaux are continuing their service to the Guard in Opelousas.
	OPELOUSAS, La.—St. Martinville native Darby Boudreaux, executive officer for D Company, 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, receives his new rank from battalion commander, Lt. Col. Michael Pryor on Sunday, June 11 at the company headquarters in Opelousas. Boudreaux was promoted from second lieutenant to first lieutenant in front of his Soldiers, superiors and family (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Aaron Duplechin, 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment)
	OPELOUSAS, La.— St. Martinville native Darby Boudreaux, executive officer for D Company, 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, receives his new rank from battalion commander, Lt. Col. Michael Pryor on Sunday, June 11 at the company headquarters in Opelousas. Boudreaux was promoted from second lieutenant to first lieutenant in front of his Soldiers, superiors and family (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Aaron Duplechin, 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment).
	OPELOUSAS, La.—New Iberia native Robert Arcement, platoon leader for D Company, 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, receives his new rank from battalion commander, Lt. Col. Michael Pryor on Sunday, June 11 at the company headquarters in Opelousas. Arcement was promoted from second lieutenant to first lieutenant in front of his Soldiers, superiors and family (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Aaron Duplechin, 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment).
	OPELOUSAS, La.—New Iberia native Robert Arcement, platoon leader for D Company, 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, receives his new rank from battalion commander, Lt. Col. Michael Pryor on Sunday, June 11 at the company headquarters in Opelousas. Arcement was promoted from second lieutenant to first lieutenant in front of his Soldiers, superiors and family (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Aaron Duplechin, 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment).