NATCHITOCHES – Continuing its proud tradition of recognizing the service and sacrifice of the nation’s Armed Forces, Northwestern State University welcomed Captain Gavin Bazer as the honorary guest captain during the Demon Football Homecoming game Oct. 4.
A 2016 graduate of NSU, CPT Bazer’s military journey began with five years as an enlisted soldier before commissioning as a Military Police Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve through NSU’s ROTC Program. Currently, he serves as the Operations Officer for the 2nd Battalion, 95th Regiment (Military Police) in Baton Rouge. In addition to his military duties, he works full-time as a game warden with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, assigned to Region 4 in St. Martin Parish.
Throughout his military career, CPT Bazer has held several key leadership roles, including Commander of the 302nd Military Police Company; Logistics Officer for the 607th Military Police Battalion; Assistant Operations and Quality Assurance / Quality Control Officer for the 2nd Battalion, 95th Regiment (Military Police), and Executive Officer and Platoon Leader for the 602nd Military Police Company.
His combat service includes two deployments to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba – first as a Corrections Specialist, and later as the Joint Task Force /Joint Detention Guantanamo Engineer Officer in Charge. He also served as the Physical Security Detail Team Leader at Camp Higashi Chitose, Japan.
Reflecting on his most memorable assignment, Captain Bazer said, “Hands down, commanding the 302nd Military Police Company. It was the most humbling job – leading and mentoring 280 Soldiers to become the best company not only within the Battalion but across the Brigade.”
CPT Bazer’s military decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.
He has completed numerous military training programs, including Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training, Cadet Leadership Course, Military Police Officer Leadership Course, Military Police Captains Career Course and the Army Air Assault School.
During his time at Northwestern State, CPT Bazer was an active member of the Mu Rho Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity and proudly served as the ROTC Cadet Commander of the 66th Demon Battalion.
Originally from Benton, CPT Bazer was joined at the homecoming event by his wife, Adrienne. He was escorted onto the field by NSU President James Genovese and LTC Joshua Drake, Head of NSU’s Department of Military Science.