VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 1

THE VOLUNTEER STATE

guard

magazine

CHANGES TO FEDERAL 

TUITION ASSISTANCE 

COULD AFFECT YOU

P A R T T W O O F T H E S E R I E S F O C U S E D O N T H E H I S T O R Y 

OF TENNESSEE’S JOINT FORCE HEADQUARTERS

Photo Above: MG Hugh B. Mott Building

OUR KIOWA WARRIORS KEEP SOLDIERS SAFE IN RC-SOUTH

TENNESSEE NATIONAL 

GUARD ENGINEERS ASSIST IN TORNADO DEBRIS 

REMOVAL 

AFTER THE STORM

JFHQ 102
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 2

VolState Guard is published to provide command and public information about Tennessee Guard Soldiers and Airmen throughout the world. Views expressed herein 

are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official view of and it is not 

endorsed by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Departments 

of the Army and the Air Force. This publication does not supersede any information 

presented in any other official Air or Army publication. Articles, photos, artwork and 

letters are invited and should be addressed to: Editor, The Volunteer State Guard, 

3041 Sidco Dr., Attn: TNPAO, Nashville, TN 37204.

For more information, the staff can be reached by telephone (615) 313-0633, or by 

email to tnpao@live.com. The Volunteer State Guard reserves the right to edit all 

material. Published works may be reprinted, except where copyrighted, provided 

credit is given to The Volunteer State Guard and the authors. Distribution of the 

The Volunteer State Guard is electronic and can be downloaded at: http://www.

tnmilitary.org

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

SENIOR EDITORS

ART DIRECTOR

PHOTOGRAPHY 

PHOTO EDITING

WRITERS

MAJ (Ret.) Randy Harris

Lt. Col. (Ret) Niki Gentry,

MSgt Robin Olsen,

Rob Pennington

Rob Pennington

MAJ (Ret.) Randy Harris,

CW4 Nick Atwood, 

Lt. Col. (Ret) Niki Gentry,

MSgt Robin Olsen,

MSG Kendra M. Owenby,

SSG Melissa Wood,

SSG Melisa Washington, 

SSG Whitney Houston,

SGT Art Guzman, 

SPC Chris Daley,

Rob Pennington

MAJ (Ret.) Randy Harris, 

Lt. Col. (Ret) Niki Gentry, 

MSgt Robin Olsen, 

Rob Pennington

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

WHAT’S

 YOUR STORY! 

Contact our staff at 

tnpao@live.com

THE VOLUNTEER STATE 

GUARD MAGAZINE

JFHQ 102

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VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 3

134TH REFUELING EXERCISE

An F22 Raptor pilot from the 325th Fighter Wing practices making contact with 

a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 134th Air Refueling Wing during a refueling 

mission over the Gulf coast of Florida - May 9, 2014

PHOTO BY: MSG Kendra M. Owenby

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 4

278TH AMBUSH TRAINING

Members of B-Troop, 1/278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee Army National Guard take part of an offensive ambush training, and recovery exercise 

at Camp Shelby Miss. - June 11, 2014

PHOTO BY: SGT Art Guzman

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 5

RAPPELLING TOWER

A Tennessee National Guard Youth Camp attendee rappels down the Alvin E. 

Hendrickson Rappelling Tower at Boxwell Scout Reservation, Lebanon, Tenn. - 

June 15, 2014

PHOTO BY: SSG Melisa Washington

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 6

DEMOLITION TECHNIQUES

Soldiers assigned to C-Troop, Regimental Troop Squadron, 278th ACR conduct 

live demolition and breaching techniques at Camp Shelby, Miss. Nothing motivates combat engineers like live explosives - June 22, 2014

PHOTO BY: SGT Art Guzman

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 7

(Continued from the last issue of VSGM)

The Nashville Chamber of Commerce led 

an effort in 1952 to transform the site into 

industrial tracts in hopes of luring factories 

to locate there. Four local businessmen 

bought 113 acres of land in the area for 

$456,000, and the city hoped to get another 189 acres for about $800 per acre, the 

original price determined by the federal 

government.

 Its location between the L&N Railroad 

tracks on the east, Radnor Yard on the 

south and Thompson Lane on the north 

made the location ideal. The Southern 

Industrial Development Company, formed 

in 1953, gave the street through the site its 

current name, SIDCO Drive.

 By the next year, the military complex 

had been destroyed and construction began 

to transform the former Classification Center for the U.S. Army Air Corps into a warehousing and industrial complex. The first 

50-acre portion was completed by 1959.

 The Tennessee Army National Guard 

leased the property in 1955, and construction began on the Clement-Nunnally 

armory in 1959, and was completed by 

1962. A new wing was added to the armory 

in 1976. 

 The 30th Armored Division Headquarters was located at the post, along with several other army units such as the 3-109th 

armor Battalion and the 173rd Support Battalion. In 1972, the 30th Armored Division 

was dissolved and became separate units to 

include the 30th Separate Armored Brigade, 

the 194th Engineer Brigade, the 196th Field 

Artillery Brigade and the 278th Armored 

Cavalry Regiment. 

 From 1947 to the mid 60’s the post had 

a swimming pool that was fed by a natural spring that stayed at 56.7 degrees, and 

was manned by the Navy, Marines and 

National Guard personnel stationed there. 

They maintained the pool and served as life 

guards. Personnel and guests paid a nominal fee for the use of the pool, and the water 

in the pool was known to be clean and 

always at the same temperature. The pool 

was closed around 1970.

 In 1975, construction began to add a 

new wing of the Clement-Nunnally armory. 

It was completed by the spring of 1976.

 Construction began on the Major General Hugh B. Mott National Guard Headquarters building in 2006 along with renovations to the Clement-Nunnally Armory, 

was completed in early 2009. 

 The 4-story Mott Building dominates the 

hillside overlooking Sidco Drive and Powell 

Avenue. Known today as the Joint Force 

Headquarters-Tennessee, Houston Barracks 

is also home to the Headquarters, Tennessee Air National Guard; the 301st Troop 

Command; the 129th Army Band; the 

230th Signal Company; the 1128th, 1129th 

and 1130th Finance Detachments; the 

118th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 

and Troop A, Special Troops Squadron, 

278th ACR. Other key agencies of the Tennessee Military Department located here 

PART TWO: The Military History of the Sidco Drive Area

PART 2 OF A 2 PART SERIES

JFHQ102

The Army Air Force Classification Center on Sidco Drive in 

1943. 
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 8

are the Tennessee Emergency Management 

Agency (TEMA) and the Headquarters for 

the Tennessee State Guard.

 The Sidco area still has the plants, factories, and warehouses that were the excitement of the post-war years in Nashville. The 

building frenzy continued until nothing 

of the original Army Air Corps Classification Center was left. Those driving by 

the area today will not realize that during 

World War II the region between I-65 and 

the Radnor Rail Yards was home to tens of 

thousands of American Soldiers. 

 One cannot write a history of Nashville’s 

Houston Barracks without recognizing the 

contribution of so many dedicated professional officers and enlisted Soldiers who 

have, and still continue to uphold the very 

flame of the volunteer spirit of military service by which this state is renowned. 

 Beginning with the Overmountain Men, 

(Tennesseans, Virginians, and North Carolinians who defeated the British at Kings 

Mountain in 1780,) and continuing today, 

Tennessee stands tall, because of those 

heroes in our past who have laid the foundation for us to follow.

 The outstanding officers and enlisted 

men and women who served in the 30th 

Armored Division, and all units housed 

at Houston Barracks have participated in 

every major and minor U.S. war endeavor 

and conflict since World War II. It is a list 

of who’s who, and the service they have 

rendered to our beloved state and nation 

should be forever remembered. The sacrifice of those Soldiers who gave the ultimate 

price of their lives for the freedom we share 

as Tennesseans, and consequently, as Americans. 

Article by MAJ (Ret) Randy D. Harris

Director, Joint Public Affairs & Strategic Communications

Contributors to this article include:

The Nashville Tennessean

The Nashville Retrospect

SGT Miles M. Capps III

Mr. Ralph Brown

Ms. Stephanie Day 

COL Brad Bishop

Major General Hugh B. Mott Building 

Tennessee National Guard Headquarters, 

located in Nashville, Tennessee. 

(Photo by SSG Melissa Wood)

The 4-story Mott 

Building dominates the hillside 

overlooking Sidco 

Drive and Powell 

Avenue.

JFHQ 102: HISTORY OF SIDCO DR.
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 9

Beginning July 2014, Big Changes Happened to the 

Military’s Federal Tuition Assistance Policy (FTA).

EDUCATION DEPT

CHANGES TO FEDERAL 

TUITION ASSISTANCE

Information from the TNARNG Education Office

Photo by SSG Melissa Wood

Basic information about FTA:

1. Up to $4000.00 dollars or $250.00 a semester hour each 

fiscal year; 16 semester hours cap. 

2. Partial courses will not be funded; this means you must 

have the required number of hours left in FTA benefits in 

order to receive FTA for a course. One FTA benefit hour 

remaining/3 hour course needed, Soldier will have to pay 

for the entire course. 

3. Must complete IADT, OCS, or BOLC and wait one year 

after completion before you can use FTA

4. If you used FTA for any reason, then you must have at least 

10 years of service to use FTA for a Masters Level Degree.

5. 130 hours allowed for completion of a Bachelor’s Level 

Degree, 39 hours allowed for a Masters Level Degree. 

New Changes to FTA beginning July 2014, see below.

1. Most Soldiers (80% or more) are now required to input at least 50% of their required courses in course planner. FTA cannot be approved 

for any course not approved in the Soldier’s course planner. This can be done by using your current degree plan in E-File and inputting the 

courses into course planner. There is a tutorial in GoArmyEd on how to complete this new requirement.

2. As of 24 July 2014, all courses starting after this date must be input by the Soldier and approved by an Education Counselor before the start 

date. Soldiers must submit their FTA request 14 days prior to the start date in order to receive FTA Funds. Those who fail to do this will not 

receive FTA for the fall semester or any other semester thereafter.

3. Fees will no longer be covered by FTA for any reason. Tuition is the only thing that FTA will pay for in the future.

4. For classes starting on or after 24 July 2014, Soldiers will now have to pay back FTA money for grades below “C” when enrolled in a bachelor’s 

Degree Level Program or lower. Soldiers enrolled in a Masters Level Program will have to pay back money for grades below a “B”.

5. Lastly we will not be able to help any Soldier students who do not meet the requirements for FTA in every way this semester and thereafter. 

We can no longer input courses for Soldiers, they must do this themselves.

Contact the TNARNG Education Office at ng.tn.tnarng.list.ngtn-j1-education@mail.mil or 615-313-0529/0625 for assistance with FTA issues.
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 10

OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters from the 1st Air Cavalry Squadron, 230th 

Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee National Guard, watch over Soldiers of the 82nd 

Airborne Division as they lead the Afghan Border Police of Zone 3, Kandak 4 

out of the Nawa Valley after air assault operations in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, May 24.

230TH AIR CAV

Tenn. Kiowa Warriors Keep Soldiers Safe in RC-South 

KEEPING ’EM SAFE

Chief Warrant Officers 3 Blake Hardison and Donnie Anderson, both natives of 

Jackson, Tenn., pilots with the 1st Air Cavalry Squadron, 230th Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee National Guard, train in their OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, July 28. The 1st of the 230th serves 

with Task Force Raptor to help provide security for KAF, as well as reconnaissance and convoy and ground patrol security.

Staff Sgt. Daniel Bean, a native of Clinton, 

Tenn., who serves as a crew chief with the 1st 

Air Cavalry Squadron, 230th Cav. Regiment, 

Tennessee National Guard, tunes up a OH-58D 

Kiowa Warrior helicopter on Kandahar Airfield, 

Afghanistan, July 29. Bean’s unit serves with Task 

Force Raptor to help provide security for KAF, as 

well as reconnaissance and convoy and ground 

patrol security.

Photos & captions by SSG Whitney Houston
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 11

Tenn. Air National Guard Participates in a 

National Emergency Exercise: 

TENN AIR GUARD

PATRIOT 14

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Air 

National Guard personnel and equipment 

from Memphis to Knoxville participated in 

Patriot 14, a disaster relief training exercise 

at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training 

Center, Wis., during 22-24 July. Members 

of the 134th Air Refueling Wing and 119th 

Command and Control Squadron in Knoxville, the 118th Wing in Nashville, and the 

164th Airlift Wing in Memphis, travelled to 

Volk Field to provide critical military assets 

to support civil authorities in numerous 

simulated disaster scenarios.

 The Patriot Program was developed by 

National Guard Bureau to create a joint 

training and exercise environment that 

allows Soldiers and Airmen from the National Guard with an ability to assess their 

military, and special life-saving capabilities 

to respond to a domestic disaster, either 

natural or manmade. The program’s three 

goals are to provide realistic training for 

both civilian and military organizations, assist in improving coordination between civil-military entities and ensure vital tasks are 

met through a system of self assessments. 

Forty-nine Air National Guard units from 

across the nation supported the exercise 

with four Army Guard support elements 

and numerous other government / civilian 

organizations.

 Providing support during times of 

emergency to federal, state or local agencies 

is a primary task of the National Guard 

in the United States and globally. Using 

equipment to restore power, provide water, 

evacuate casualties, re-supply impacted 

regions and overall to support civil emergency responders are just a few examples of 

the tasks required.

 A total of 62 organizations participated 

in Patriot 14, from military units to agencies such as the Red Cross and Salvation 

Army. Tennessee Air National Guard units 

had specific responsibilities that were 

evaluated to determine their effectiveness 

in mitigating issues resulting from disaster 

scenarios. The 134th ARW provided two 

Airmen to work in an emergency operations center to assist other Air units in 

Brig. Gen. Don Johnson, Tennessee’s Assistant Adjutant General, Air (second 

from left) and Chief Master Sgt. Wade Hudson, Command Chief, Tennessee 

Air National Guard (second from right) are briefed by Airmen from Tennessee 

and other states at Volk Field, Wis., concerning the capabilities of the Joint 

Incident Site Communication Capability Systems or JISCCS. 

(Courtesy Photo)

PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT ACROSS THE STATE DEPLOY TO WISCONSIN FOR PATRIOT 14
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 12

TENN AIR GUARD

planning for aircraft requirements to ensure 

they fulfilled vital transportation missions.

 The 119th CACS provided ten Airmen 

and constructed two Joint Incident Site 

Communication Capability Systems, or 

JISCCS, that allow mobile communications 

capability to be placed in disaster areas so 

responders and emergency managers have a 

means of talking to each other when established lines of communication are disrupted.

 The 118th Wing’s Civil Engineering 

Squadron provided six Airmen to support 

Power Pro Generators that have the ability 

to function for numerous days and provide 

substantial electrical power to remote base 

facilities or sites where emergency power 

is in dire need such as hospitals or shelter 

areas. 

 The 164th AW deployed a Chaplain to 

provide morale and religious counseling to 

effected individuals in the simulated disaster zone.

 Due to the substantial size and scope 

of the mission several key leaders were on 

hand to observe and review the operations 

first hand. The Tennessee contingent was 

visited by Brig. Gen. Don Johnson, Tennessee’s Assistant Adjutant General, Air and 

Command Chief Master Sgt. Wade Hudson, Tennessee Air National Guard.

 “Global Patriot was an outstanding 

exercise that provided the Tennessee Air 

National Guard an opportunity to showcase 

its ability to respond to a natural disaster. 

Our mobile satellite communication support to military and civilian authorities is 

paramount to saving lives in this scenario. 

Additionally, our Airman tend to get lost in 

the big scheme of things with our support 

functions. Medical, spiritual, power generation and logistics are a few critical capabilities that the Air National Guard brings 

to the fight in our domestic response for 

the Adjutant General and Governor,” said 

Johnson.

 The Patriot exercise was very successful 

and illustrated the ability of multiple military and civil entities to train and interact 

in a scenario driven environment to adequately prepare for future real world emergencies. - LT. COL. (RET) NIKI GENTRY

Members of the 119th Command and Control Squadron brief communication 

exercises plans outside the Joint Incident Site Communication Capability Systems or JISCCS tent to support Patriot 14 at the Volk Field Combat Readiness 

Training Center, Wis. (Courtesy Photo)

Airmen of the 118th Wing’s Civil Engineering Squadron prepare to unload and 

begin training missions with Power Pro Generators to provide electrical power for equipment being utilized in the simulated disaster site at the Volk Field 

Combat Readiness Training Center, Wis. (Courtesy Photo)
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 13

Tennessee National Guard Engineers arrive 

to assist in tornado debris removal 

AFTER

THE

STORM

Severe Storms in Claiborne and Campbell Counties - Full Story Pg 14
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 14

SPEEDWELL, Tenn. – On the evening of 

July 27, an unusually strong storm system 

ravaged areas of Campbell and Claiborne 

Counties in northeast Tennessee. Significant damage occurred in and surrounding 

the town of Speedwell, Tenn., where an 

EF-3 tornado with winds exceeding 140 

miles per hour damaged and even destroyed several structures along its path. 

According to the National Weather Service 

Office in Morristown, Tenn., the tornado 

lofted wreckage as high as 10,000 feet into 

the air as it moved through the area. Upon 

inspection by local and state authorities, 

the Tennessee Army National Guard was 

requested by the Tennessee Emergency 

Management Agency to provide heavy 

equipment and personnel to assist in recovery operations beginning on August 3, 

in the impacted area under Operation Task 

Force Engineer.

 “The Tennessee National Guard’s 230th 

Engineer Battalion, located in Trenton, 

Tenn., is leading the operation with 16 

Soldiers from the 190th Mobility Augmentation Company located in Russellville / 

(Morristown), Tenn., and Jefferson City, 

Tenn., 10 Soldiers from the 212th Engineer 

Company located in Paris and Camden, 

Tenn., six Soldiers from the 913th Horizontal Engineer Company from Union City, 

Tenn., one Soldier from the 230th Headquarters / Headquarters Company and five 

Soldiers from the Forward Support Company located in Trenton also participating in 

the effort.” 

 “Our mission is to clear roads and provide support to civil authorities in response 

to the natural disasters in Claiborne and 

Campbell Counties. This is but one of the 

state missions that we have the honor to 

conduct to help our fellow Tennesseans and 

is one of the primary reasons my Soldiers 

joined the Guard as engineers,” said Capt. 

Eric Madison, officer in charge, with the 

190th Mobility Augmentation Company. 

During the first week of the mission over 

3,400 cubic yards of storm debris have been 

removed by the Guard and other supporting agencies according to Madison.

 “The mission has been a model domestic 

support to civilian authorities operation,” 

said Madison. “All of our efforts have been 

fully integrated with the local civilian 

authorities and the help of the Tennessee 

Department of Transportation, Tennessee 

Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Department of Forestry 

and the Tennessee Department of Safety. 

Additionally, the Southern Baptist Disaster 

Relief Team of Tennessee provided meals 

for those supporting the overall mission.” 

 “The Tennessee National Guard response, along with all the support agencies, has been very efficient. We were very 

glad they were able to assist and have been 

instrumental in clearing a debris swath that 

spans approximately 40 miles,” said Gina 

Breeding, the public information officer for 

the Claiborne County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. 

Breeding indicated 30 structures had been 

damaged with 11 homes and two businesses completely destroyed. 

 Due to the extensive damage in the 

region the mission has been extended from 

a one-week to two-week completion phase 

with a planned end date of August 14. - LT 

COL (RET) NIKI GENTRY

Spc. Cody Short, 190th Mobility Augmentation Company, directs Spc. Kevin Porter and 

Spc. Karin Cathey, both with the 212th Engineer Company at the site of a devastating 

tornado that impacted Campbell and Claiborne County, Tenn., on July 27.

(Courtesy Photo)

“Our mission 

is to clear 

roads and provide support 

to civil authorities.”

AFTER THE STORM
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 15

ESGR Presents Numerous Awards to Sheriff John Fuson 

for his Contributions to Tenn. Guardmembers

E S G R S U P P O R T 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY 

SHERIFF RECOGNIZED

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Maj. Gen. Robert 

Harris, The Tennessee National Guard’s 

Assistant Adjutant General, Army and Mr. 

Carl Lambert, State Chair of the Tennessee 

Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve presented numerous awards to Montgomery County Tenn., Sheriff John Fuson 

on June 16. The Sheriff was recognized for 

his contributions to the members of the 

Department who are also Soldiers and Airmen of the Tennessee National Guard and 

those serving in various components of the 

Reserves.

 “We are very proud to be here.... a lot of 

times we take it for granted that our leadership in organizations are understanding of 

the folks that are in the Guard and Reserve 

and the difficulties they have in getting off 

to do this mission because of their work 

schedule, so I am very excited to be part of 

this and proud to help present these awards 

to you and your organization,” said Maj. 

Gen. Harris.

 “These guys (the military members) are 

professionals who have demonstrated the 

attributes and skills desired by employers... 

but the most enjoyable part of my job is 

to recognize employers who do what you 

do,” stated Mr. Lambert in the news article 

when recognizing the Sheriff.

 The ceremony consisted of the Sheriff 

accepting the “Patriot Award” recognizing 

the contributions his Department provides 

to military personnel that include:

•	 Continuance of pay beyond the 20 days 

of military leave required by State Law 

for Soldiers who are activated to duty 

for local emergencies or State crises.

•	 Actively hiring Tennessee Guardsman 

within his agency and ensuring all 
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 16

E S G R S U P P O R T 

Information in the article cited from The Clarksville (Tenn.) 

Leaf Chronicle and compiled by Niki Gentry, TNG JPAO Office.

military employees receive adequate 

representation and consideration for 

promotions and transfers within agency 

divisions.

•	 Ensuring the concerns of guardsman 

and their families whether deployed 

or conducting traditional training are 

immediately brought to his personal 

attention.

•	 Establishing and enforcing a “Worry 

Free” workplace allowing members to 

concentrate on their military task and 

not be distracted by their duties at the 

Sheriff ’s Office when on drill status, 

training or activation.

•	 Taking a vested interest in the Tennessee Army National Guard’s Defense 

Support of Civilian Agencies mission 

and maintains two way communications through the Homeland Security 

District 7, Montgomery County Sheriff ’s Office and Tennessee Emergency 

Management Agency.

 Sheriff Fuson was also awarded the 

“Above and Beyond Award” on behalf of the 

Sheriff ’s Office for supporting citizen Soldiers as well as their families. “This award 

is just what it says. You know what the law 

says, but you have gone past that, above that 

especially when dealing with Guardsmen, 

their families and making sure that they 

have everything that they need, giving them 

the assurance that their job is safe upon 

their return,” said Lambert.

 Upon accepting the two awards, the 

Sheriff signed a “Statement of Support” for 

the Guard and Reserve that was also signed 

by the Secretary of Defense. He commented 

upon completion of the formal event, “to 

the people who work here, in addition to 

their National Guard job, it’s all about service, it’s in their hearts and minds, it’s what 

they want to do for our community. We 

are proud to have people like this is in our 

organization and I know Gen. Harris is also 

proud to have the same folks in his organization, who have service in mind. They are 

not doing it just for a paycheck or prestige, 

it’s what they feel in their hearts and it’s 

their commitment to the values that built 

this country and really makes me appreciate 

all of you.”

 Specific questions concerning Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve in 

Tennessee may be directed to Marvin Wells, 

Employer Support Specialist for the Tennessee National Guard at 615-313-0753 or 

John Rutherford, Program Support Technician at 615-313-0752.
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 17

What is the AFSA?

The Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) is a non-profit organization representing the professional and personal interests of nearly 111,000 active, retired and veteran total enlisted members of the 

United States Air Force and their families. Membership is open to Air Force Active Duty (AFAD), 

Air National Guard (ANG), Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) active, retired, and veteran enlisted members of all grades.

Why should you join?

Benefits of AFSA membership are numerous and valuable. In addition to having a strong, respected 

voice on Capitol Hill, and an opportunity to make lasting friendships, AFSA members enjoy a wide 

range of member only benefits including:

JOIN THE AIR FORCE

SERGEANTS ASSOCIATION

Go to www.hqafsa.org and become a member today.

•	 Affordable health, life, home/property, and 

auto insurance plans

•	 Investment management

•	 College savings plans 

•	 Low interest rate credit cards 

•	 Discounted travel and hotel rates 

•	 Magazine and newspaper subscription 

discounts

•	 College tuition discounts, computer discounts, mobile phone discounts

•	 And much more
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 18

MISSION READINESS

Streamlining Maintenance Processes of the C-17 

Globemaster III fleet in Memphis, Tenn. 

Members of the 164th Airlift 

Wing in Memphis, Tenn., 

safely fly thousands of miles 

each year aboard the C-17 

Globemaster III aircraft. Accomplishing 

their mission requires a team of dedicated 

Airmen working tirelessly to maintain the 

hundreds of systems essential to lift the 

winged giants into the air. During late July 

a team of C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Program Quality Specialists, Field 

Service Operations and Sustaining Engineering Fleet Performance personnel from 

the Boeing Company, along with members 

from the 164th Airlift Wing’s Air Force 

Smart Operations for the 21st Century 

(AFSO21) group participated in a week 

long workshop to streamline their maintenance processes.

 “The goal of the event with Boeing and 

the AFSO21 team was to determine how 

to make our maintenance 

workflow more efficient. 

Ultimately saving time but 

ensuring each task of the aircraft Home Station Checks 

(HSC) were conducted safely 

and properly,” said Lt. Col. 

Keith Stiles, Commander 

of the 164th Airlift Wing’s 

Maintenance Squadron. 

 “Roughly 460 total processes were analyzed by the group, and although none of 

them were removed, many were rearranged 

to achieve a more logical flow in the inspection process, resulting in approximately a 

25 percent reduction in inspection time,” 

stated Master Sgt. William Hess, a supervisor and lead member of AFSO21 for the 

164th Airlift Wing’s Maintenance Squadron. 

 The final outcome obtained by the team 

effort between Boeing and the Tennessee 

Air National Guard members resulted in 

the reduction of C-17 HSC inspection time 

from six and one-half days to five. Ultimately, the new maintenance process means 

the aircraft are ready to respond to missions 

around the globe more rapidly while being 

maintained safely and more efficiently for 

flight. - LT COL (RET) NIKI GENTRY

THE MEMPHIS 

C-17 TEAM 

Boeing and 164th Airlift Wing maintenance team leaders. (Courtesy Photo)
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 19

The Tenn. National Guard’s annual TAG Pistol Match at 

the Volunteer Training Site in Tullahoma, Tenn.

T A G P I S T O L M A T C H 

TAG PISTOL MATCH

TULLAHOMA, Tenn. – The Tennessee 

National Guard’s annual TAG Pistol Match 

took place August 15-17 at the Volunteer 

Training Site in Tullahoma, hosting about 

15 teams, or roughly 60 individuals, representing major commands from the across 

the Tennessee Army and Air National 

Guard. 

 “The purpose of the exercise was to 

promote marksmanship skills and training. This exercise offers servicemembers 

from the Army and Air National Guard an 

opportunity to test their marksmanship 

skills and weapon systems in a competitive and battle-focused environment,” said 

117th Military Police Battalion member 

Capt. Timothy Butler, who is a range officer 

in Tullahoma and serves as the assistant 

marksmanship coordinator for the state.

“In the military, marksmanship is a cornerstone of what we do. The focus is to leave 

here having learned something that they 

can take back to their units,” he said. “We 

focus on training, not winning. Competition makes it fun.”

 Participants were allowed to use either 

an M9 or a SIG M11. “Every Soldier leaves 

with a weapons qualification that is good 

for 18 months,” said Butler.

 The Friday before the competition days 

is spent registering and in class. Participants 

get the opportunity to perform weapons 

checks and go to the range to learn the fundamentals of marksmanship and conduct 

shooting drills in various positions. “It’s a 

good warm-up before the competition day 

as well,” said Butler.

 Four-man teams, representing every 

Major Supported Command from across 

Tennessee, participated in the event. Teams 

were comprised of three different participant classifications: Pro, Open, and Novice. 

A Novice participant is one who has never 

participated in any discipline at the TAG 

match or higher before. An Open participant is one who has participated at the TAG 

match in prior years. A Pro is one who has 

shot on the “A” team at Winston P. Wilson 

match, a national competition held every 

year pitting National Guardsmen from 

across the country against each other. Any 

Master Sgt. Kendra Owenby, 134th Air Refueling Wing, fires at a target 

as part of a team competition held August 17 just before the awards 

ceremony. (Photo by Master Sgt. Robin Olsen)
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 20

T A G P I S T O L M A T C H 

participants who have fired at the WPW 

previously are considered old participants. 

Teams were required to be 50 percent Novice, with no more than one Pro per team.

The match was structured for both individual and team competition. Participants had 

to shoot from a variety of positions, including standing, kneeling, crouching, and 

prone. As well as from various distances, 

approximately 15 to 30 yards. 

 Individual Pistol Champion went to 

Tech. Sgt. James Rice, of the 164th Airlift 

Wing. Staff Sgt. Mark Prince of the 1175th 

Transportation Company took second 

place, and Staff Sgt. Chris Smith, Range 

Control for the Volunteer Training Site in 

Tullahoma took third.

 Individual “Pro Class” Pistol Champion 

was awarded to Staff Sgt. Scott Cavin, of 

the 134th Air Refueling Wing. Second place 

was Sgt. 1st Class David Keenom, 194th Engineer Brigade, and third was Maj. Demetrius Ritt, of the 118th Wing.

 Pistol Team Champion was awarded 

to the 118th Wing: Maj. Demetrius Ritt, 

Master Sgt. Mike Brumer, Tech. Sgt. Mike 

Carey, and Tech. Sgt. Kermit Purcell. 

Coming in second place was the 164th 

Airlift Wing: Lt. Col. Keith Stiles, Master 

Sgt. Jason Crawford, Tech. Sgt. James Rice, 

and Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Deutsch. Taking home 

third place was the 1175th Transportation 

Company: 1st Lt. Kevin Wittwer, Chief 

Warrant Officer 3 David Hollis, Staff Sgt. 

Mark Prince and Sgt. Terry Musick.

 Several members also received Expert 

and Sharpshooter ratings. Expert is 38 to 

40 targets hit during the pistol competition. 

Sharpshooter is 33 to 37. The Marksmanship rating is 26 to 32, and anything less 

than that is considered unqualified.

The top Soldiers and Airmen who participated in the event will move forward to 

regional and national matches. - MSGT 

ROBIN OLSEN

Top Left - Army Capt. 

Timothy Butler (left), of 

the 117th Military Police 

Battalion, annotates his 

score following a portion 

of the Pistol Match August 

16. (Photo by Master Sgt. 

Robin Olsen)

Bottom Left - Tech. Sgt. 

James Rice of the 164th 

Airlift Wing took 1st place 

in individual competition.

Bottom Right - 1st place 

team honors went to the 

118th Wing. Left to Right: 

Master Sgt. Mike Brumer, 

Maj. Demetrius Ritt, Tech. 

Sgt. Mike Carey, and Tech. 

Sgt. Kermit Purcell.
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 21

Maj. Gen. Max Haston, visits Tenn. Soldiers in phase 

three of Officer Candidate School at Ft. McClellan, AL

O C S 

TAG VISITS OFFICER 

CANDIDATE SCHOOL

FORT MCCLELLAN, Ala. – The Tennessee National Guard’s Adjutant General, Maj. 

Gen. Max Haston, visited his fellow Tennessee National Guard Soldiers who were in 

phase three of Officer Candidate School at 

Fort McClellan, AL, on July 29.

 For Officer Candidate Jordan Donegan, 

of Antioch, currently attached to Det. 1, 

267th Military Police Company in Waverly, 

the TAGs visit was remarkable. “I haven’t 

seen any other TAGs visit their Soldiers. It 

shows that Tennessee cares about us and 

wants to see its future leaders be successful,” 

he said. Donegan is one of 13 Tennessee 

National Guard Soldiers preparing to graduate and become the state’s newest officers. 

There are 168 candidates in his class, representing nine different states.

 “It is important to have the TAG visit 

OCS because it demonstrates the program 

is important to him, and it enables him to 

have a better understanding of how the 

program operates,” said Master Sgt. Ronald 

Cannon, Chief Instructor, 117th Regimental Training Institute.

 The OCS program at the RTI is offered 

in two different formats to accommodate 

the reserved component’s citizen Soldiers. 

The traditional OCS program is a 16-month 

course of instruction conducted from April 

to August of the following year. It is broken 

down into four phases: Phase 0, or PrePhase, is two drill weekends and designed 

to prepare Officer Candidates for the OCS 

program. Phase 1 is a 15 day annual training period held in June. Phase 2 is conducted one weekend per month for a period of 

13 months. Phase 3 is a final 15 day annual 

training period, culminating with graduation and commissioning. 
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 22

O C S 

 “The 117th RTI conducts Pre-Phase 

and Phase 2. Phases 1 and 3 are conducted 

at Fort McClellan by the 200th Regiment 

there,” said Cannon. “Our focus is on 

having the candidates administratively and 

logistically ready to pass all of the training 

in Phase 1 to be able to continue through 

the OCS program.”

 The Army National Guard also offers 

an “Accelerated” OCS program which is a 

56 day, full-time program. The accelerated 

program is the most physically and mentally demanding program. While the majority 

of candidates for the accelerated program 

are already enlisted Soldiers, the failure rate 

is consistently over 40 percent for both the 

accelerated and the traditional programs.

 The high failure rate is one of the main 

reasons for Gen. Haston’s visit. Phase 3 has 

been identified as the phase where most 

candidates fail out of the program, not just 

in Tennessee, but nationwide.

 “Some of the largest losses in the past, 

came from Soldiers not being properly 

taught about the rigors of the OCS program,” said Cannon. “Most, if not all, candidates are not surprised now when they 

begin Pre-Phase.” 

 OCS requires Soldiers to work long 

weekends and stay engaged throughout the 

month. “Their days are completely filled 

with military training, from classroom 

instruction to field training,” Cannon said. 

“The dropout rate issue is not isolated to 

just Tennessee, the other states have similar 

percentages in comparison.”

 “I think it is very important to see what 

they do here in this phase of training so 

we can prepare the next batch when we get 

back to Tennessee,” explained Haston. “I’m 

concerned about what we are teaching and 

I want to make sure they are prepared for 

what they are about to walk into, even after 

OCS.”

 “The number one reason they fail out 

in Phase 3 is injuries sustained during field 

training,” said Maj. Randy Albritton, 200th 

Regiment, Fort McClellan, Ala. 

 The second biggest reason is due to the 

candidate’s inability to pass the events. Another is due to a candidate’s inability to get 

a waiver to enter OCS in the first place.

 “They are graded on eight different 

categories, and they can only miss two in 

order to pass,” said Lt. Col. James Heartsill, 

Deputy Commander, 200th Regiment. 

 The 117th RTI in Smyrna, Tenn., has already instituted new training methods. “We 

adjusted training in Phase 2 to set them up 

for success when they get to Fort McClellan,” said Sgt. Maj. Hank White, 117th RTI.

 About 25 percent of candidates fail out 

of the program in the earlier phases, which 

are mainly academic. Phase 2 is primarily 

classroom instruction, featuring ten exams. 

These prepare the candidates for Phase 3.

 “I think we were very well prepared in 

Phase 2,” said Officer Candidate Donald Eli, 

of Murfreesboro, and member of the 777th 

Maintenance Company based in Smyrna, 

Tenn.

 “Going through the traditional course, I 

feel like I’ve been afforded more institutional knowledge than those going through the 

accelerated version of the program. I think 

it makes it easier,” said Officer Candidate 

Elliot Martin, 913th Engineer Company, 

based in Union City, Tenn.

 Upon successful completion of Army 

National Guard OCS, the candidates are 

commissioned as second lieutenants if they 

possess at least 90 semester hours, and must 

complete Basic Officer Leadership Course 

(BOLC) II and III within 24 months. The 

commission received from this version of 

OCS is the same federally recognized commission as offered through the active duty 

counterpart version at Fort Benning, GA.

 It is interesting to note that in 2009 the 

U.S. Army began sending Soldiers to the 

accelerated OCS program conducted by the 

National Guard RTIs. This was determined 

to be a more cost efficient way of producing 

officers compared to expanding the Fort 

Benning program.

 “There are primarily six states that send 

candidates to Fort McClellan,” explained 

Cannon. “The loss rates are similar for 

them all. People who do well in one phase 

do not necessarily do well in other phases.”

 “It doesn’t make a difference if you are a 

wrench turner or you work in an office all 

day long; everyone has to have the skills to 

be a Soldier,” said Haston. “They should be 

able to be commissioned and go do something right then.” - MSGT ROBIN OLSEN

Phase 3 has been identified as the phase 

where most candidates 

fail out of the program, 

not just in Tennessee, 

but nationwide.
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 3 23

IN MEMORIUM

We would like to express our sincere condolences to the friends and the family members of Sgt. 1st Class Michael Braden. SFC Braden, 

a decorated, 27-year veteran of the Tennessee Army National Guard, lost his life on July 9th, 2014, while serving as the NCOIC of Readiness for Troop A, Support Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Lobelville, Tenn. 

 “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”

Joseph Campbell, American scholar and author