NATCHITOCHES – In continuing its tradition of honoring those who serve in the nation’s Armed Forces, Northwestern State University recognized the military service of Staff Sergeant (Ssgt) Retired, Donterry Colombel as the honorary captain during its football game against Southeastern Louisiana University on Sept. 26.
Colombel was born and raised in Lafourche Parish. On June 6, 2000, at 17 years of age, he enlisted into United States Marine Corps and graduated Boot Camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. His follow-on entry-level training included graduating from the School of Infantry, Camp Pendleton, California, in October 2000 and Motor Transport Operations Logistic Vehicle Systems School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in April 2001.
His first assignment was at Marine Corps Combat Service Support School, Logistics Operations School as a Formal Schools Instructor and was meritoriously promoted to Corporal. Following the 911 terror attacks he received Temporary Additional Duty orders to Special Operations Command providing personal security details for high-ranking individuals and dignitaries. Later that year he was recognized as “Marine of the Year” by USMC Training Command and Marine of the Quarter by the Non-Commissioned Officers Association charted by the United States Congress.
In 2003, he became a Marine Combat Instructor for the School of Infantry East Coast. There he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In 2005, Colombel volunteered for humanitarian efforts following the wake of Hurricane Katrina. There he was attached to New Orleans Police Department SWAT Tac. 2.
In 2007, he graduated with honors from the Marine Corps Military Police Academy and was immediately assigned to Marine Corps Incident Response Platoon, Marine Corps Community Service-172 Okinawa, Japan. While there he and his team conducted law enforcement, anti-terrorism operations, airfield security operations and served as quick-response-force for missions throughout the entire western pacific. In 2008, he and his team deployed to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, for Operations Iraqi Freedom and Defeat Al Qaeda in the North. There he received his promotion to Staff Sergeant.
In 2009, he returned to Camp Lejune, North Carolina, serving as the Staff Non-Commission Officer in Charge for military police operations for both the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) and the 24th MEUSOC.
His final duty assignment was as the Military Police Operations Chief for Combat Logistics Regiment 27 before being medically retired on Sept. 29, 2011. Throughout his service, Colombel has completed over 100 combat missions; 54 of as mission commander or team lead. Today, he continues his service as an NSU Police Officer.
Colombel was escorted on field by NSU’s President, James Genovese, and U.S. Army Captain Armando Lopez, head of NSU’s Department of Military Science.