Lieutenant Colonel John Hatley, Northwestern State alumnus, honored on NSU’s Military Appreciation Day

November 18, 2024

By Sid Hall
Military Affairs Coordinator / ROTC Program Manager

NATCHITOCHES – In continuing its tradition of honoring those who serve in the nation’s Armed Forces, Northwestern State University recognized the military service of Lieutenant Colonel John Hatley during its Military Appreciation football game Nov. 16.

Born in Shreveport, LTC Hatley grew up in Natchitoches and attended Northwestern State University.  A member of Theta Chi Fraternity, he was selected NSU’s Greek Man of the Year, Intra-fraternal Scholar of the Year and Board Member for the National Order of Omega.  In 2004, he graduated with degrees in History and Anthropology while earning his active duty commission as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives officer.

He first served as the Chemical Officer for 1^st Battalion, 327^th Infantry Regiment, 1^st Brigade Combat Team, 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Chemical Officer and Tactical Operations Center Battle Captain.

Following reclassification to the Adjutant General’s Corps, LTC Hatley served as the Personnel, Plans and Operations Branch Officer in Charge for the 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault).  He deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) as the Joint Manning Document Manager and Command Group Evaluations Officer in Charge.  After reassignment to Fort Johnson, LA, he served as the Personnel Officer for 4^th Battalion, 353^rd Infantry Regiment, 162^nd Infantry Brigade.

LTC Hatley then served as a Contingency Plans Officer in US Army – Europe (USAREUR).  He deployed with Special Operations Europe / Combined Special Operations Task Force-10 in support of OEF as the Task Force C-1 and the Headquarters Service Company Commander. He was then the Manning Force Sustainment Chief for USAREUR Headquarters; Personnel Officer for the 66^th Military Intelligence Brigade; and USAREUR Chief of Manning.

In 2019, LTC Hatley served as the Executive Officer and Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion (Provisional) Commander, U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois.  He then commanded Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1^st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas, where he deployed the battalion in support of Operation European Assure, Deter and Reinforce in Poland. Upon completion of command, LTC Hatley assumed responsibilities as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, for the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Johnson, where he currently serves.

LTC Hatley’s military education includes the Chemical Officer Basic Course, Human Resources Management Qualification Course, Adjutant General Captains Career Course and the Command and General Staff College.

His awards include the Bronze Star Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (w/1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (w/4 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal (w/1 OLC), Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.

Joining LTC Hatley to cheer on the Demons were his wife, Dr. Sylwia Hatley, and their son, Eric. They were escorted on-field by NSU President James Genovese and the Professor of Military Science LTC Joshua Drake.