AUGUST, 2017

STRONG ACT SIGNING PROVIDES TUITION FREE OPPORTUNITIES - PAGE 32 

XCTC

 THE FUTURE OF

 ARMY NATIONAL

 GUARD TRAINING

PAGE 8

THE ORIGIN OF 

OUR SHOULDER

SLEEVE INSIGNIA

PART II:

PAGE 14
2 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 17 / ISSUE 3

ON THE COVER

Soldiers assigned to HHT/278th ACR conduct a tactical sling load operation on June 

11 during the eXportable Combat Training 

Capability Program at Fort Hood, Texas.

Photo by Sgt. Arturo Guzman

08

XCTC Army 

Training in Fort 

Hood, Texas

14

What's that 

Patch Mean?

PART TWO

30

Touching 

Salute

22

Our Heroic 

Legacy

THE VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD MAGAZINE
3

The Volunteer State Guard Magazine 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

ART DIRECTION

SENIOR EDITORS

PHOTOGRAPHY 

WRITERS

Maj. (Ret) Randy Harris

Rob Pennington

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Nick Atwood

Maj. Darrin Haas 

Master Sgt. Robin Brown

Sgt. 1st Class William Jones

Rob Pennington

Maj. Darrin Haas

Master Sgt. Robin Brown

Sgt. 1st Class Edgar A. Castro

Sgt. 1st Class William Jones

Senior Airman Anthony Agosti 

Tech. Sgt. Darrell Hamm

Staff Sgt. Ben Mellon

Staff Sgt. Mathieu Perry

Sgt. Arturo Guzman

Erin Hester 

Dawn Majors

Maj. (Ret.) Randy Harris

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Nick Atwood

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Joseph Hollister

Maj. Darrin Haas

Master Sgt. Robin Brown

Senior Airman Anthony Agosti

2nd Lt. Jon Ladue

VOLUME 17 ISSUE 3

CONTENTS VSG

8 XCTC TRAINING

The Future of Army National Guard training. Our own 278th Armored 

Cavalry Regiment hones warfighting skills in Texas.

12 BIG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

2017 marks 60th anniversary for the Tennessee Air National Guard's 

134th Air Refueling Wing.

13 RESILIENCE IN THE FIELD

VIDEO: Chaplain baptizes 278th Armored Cavalry Soldier in the bucket 

of a front-end loader at XCTC. 

14 WHAT'S THAT PATCH MEAN / PART 2

Part two of the series focused on the history of the shouder sleeve insignias worn by members of the Tennessee National Guard.

21 TNMAN‘17

The Tennessee National Guard joins in statewide cyber exercise.

22 OUR HEROIC LEGACY

Lt. Col. Grover Wilson recalls the 2015 attack on a Navy and Marine 

Reserve Center in Chattanooga, Tenn.

24 TENNESSEE’S ON THE MARK

Tennessee National Guard provides fierce opponents at national marksmanship competition.

26 BULGARIAN TRAINING

Tennessee Air National Guardsmen foster a cooperative partnership with 

the Bulgarian Air Force.

28 OPEN FOR THE CHALLENGE

The Tennessee National Guard’s Volunteer ChalleNGe Academy officially opens its doors. 

30 TOUCHING SALUTE

Viral photo of Soldier saluting funeral procession 

identified as Tennessee National Guardsmen. 

32 STRONG ACT TO FOLLOW

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signs the Tennessee 

STRONG Act at the Joint Force Headquarters in 

Nashville.

33 BOOK REVIEW

Maj. Darrin Haas gives his review of 

BORROWED SOLDIERS.

tnmilitary.org

AUGUST, 2017
4 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 17 / ISSUE 3

TEXAS TRAINING

May 19, 2017 - Spc. Cody Keele, a Soldier assigned to the 278th Regimental Fire 

Squadron secures a vehicle to a rail car at Fort Hood, Texas during the U.S. Army 

National Guard’s eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) program. 

PHOTO BY: STAFF SGT. MATHIEU PERRY

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
5

BEST WARRIOR COMPETITION

July 20, 2017- Soldiers participate in a 13.1 mile ruck-march at Itasca State Park in 

North Central Minnesota during the 2017 Best Warrior Competition. Afterwords, competitors got a chance to dive into Lake Itasca, the headwaters of the Mississippi River.

PHOTO BY: 278TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
6 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 17 / ISSUE 3

A CUT ABOVE

July 25, 2017 - Senior Airmen Robert Behan with the 134th Air Refueling Wing Civil Engineer Squadron cuts a metal stud used for framing during their deployed field 

training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

PHOTO BY: STAFF SGT. BEN MELLON

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
7

OPERATION SABER STRIKE

June 9, 2017 -Soldiers and Airmen with the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard 

departed from the Volunteer Training Site in Smyrna, Tenn., for annual training that is 

taking place in Poland as part of Operation Saber Strike. 

PHOTO BY: MASTER SGT. ROBIN BROWN

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
8 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 17 / ISSUE 3

Sgt. Harold Ludwig (right) assists Spc. Anthony 

North (left), in using a cable to jump-start a M2 

Bradley Fighting Vehicle on one of more than 70 

rail cars used during the XCTC exercise at Fort 

Hood, Texas. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Mathieu Perry)

FORT HOOD, TEXAS

XCTC

 THE FUTURE OF

 ARMY NATIONAL

 GUARD TRAINING
9

 FORT HOOD, TX - The 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee’s largest National Guard unit, began their 

training for a possible deployment next year by participating in the Army National Guard’s eXportable Combat 

Training Capability (XCTC) program (http://www.xctc.org/) at Fort Hood, Texas from June 9 through June 24, 

2017. The program is a field training exercise for brigades designed to certify proficiency at the platoon level in 

coordination with First Army.

The driving force behind XCTC is the Sustainable Readiness Model (SRM). Recently developed by the 

Army, SRM is a readiness concept for force generation with the simple goal of providing predictability in an unpredictable and complex world. It is more adaptable, agile and flexible than previous force generation concepts and 

will provide a higher level of readiness across the Army.

Tennessee’s 278th ACR, headquartered in Knoxville and geographically dispersed across the state, is one 

of the Guard’s five armored brigade combat teams (ABCT) scheduled for intensive training in the coming months 

and years on a rotational basis. Next year, they will train at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., with 

an opportunity to further develop their combat capability prior to deployment in 2018. This is part of the Army’s 

plans to prepare and deploy Guard ABCT’s in the same manner as active combat units.
10 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 17 / ISSUE 3

“A few months ago this was just a concept on a piece of paper,” said Brig. 

Gen. Tommy Baker, Tennessee’s Assistant Adjutant General – Army, while visiting operations. “And now you’re seeing the execution and the fruition of a plan 

starting to come together."

The months leading up to the exercise have seen Guardsmen engaged in 

a myriad of activities such as maintenance support, railhead operations and site 

preparation, lanes training, live fire and sling load exercises, just to name a few, 

that are the culmination of months of force projection planning by all echelons 

of the command structure.

Tennessee is not the only state that participated in the month long exercise. Units from six states, three of which belong to the Army Reserve, served 

various functions throughout XCTC that enhanced their own capabilities based 

on the type of mission they perform. Soldiers from Kansas, Idaho, Minnesota, 

North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Puerto Rico each had a slice of the action 

that serve to exponentially add a real world flair, otherwise unattainable by an 

individual unit.

In order to meet the demands of SRM, training years 2017 and 2018 will 

entail additional requirements. While every effort is made to minimize cost and 

separation from civilian careers and families, it could mean increased time away 

at a greater level than recent years.

“Spouses and family members who have loved ones in the Guard, are 

used to us operating in a different zip code," Baker said. “It’s critical to our readiness to make sure we can conduct the mission successfully wherever we’re called 

on to do it. I just want to thank them for their support because their loved ones 

couldn’t be here without it.”

Tennessee National Guard Soldiers at Fort Hood’s Deployment 

Ready Reaction Field and Rail 

Operations Center. (Photo by 

Sgt. 1st Class Edgar A. Castro)
11

XCTC

VIDEO: Brig Gen. Tommy Baker at XCTC

Aerial view of XCTC training site.

Bradley fighting vehicles on the move at XCTC. 

(Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Jones)

"The training conducted at Fort Hood was exceptional,” 

Col. Jimmie Cole, the 278th Regimental Commander, said. “It 

provided us the opportunity to test both our troops and equipment. The skills developed and applied here such as leadership, 

planning, communication, logistics, decision making, adaptability, and resiliency translates to success for any environment; state 

emergency or national defense. Whether that environment be the 

battlefield or the boardroom, our Citizen-Soldiers are well prepared to accomplish the challenges at hand."

“I think the training was a culture shock to many of the

Regiment’s troopers and also to our enabling (support) units,”

Maj. Gen. Max Haston, Tennessee’s Adjutant General said. “Quite 

frankly, the total Regiment had not been together for training in 

8 years because we haven’t had a place this big to go and train.”

"The training went very well,” Haston continued. “I think 

the learning curve was very steep, and the Soldiers left Fort Hood 

with an idea of what they need to work on and areas of improvement, and also things they need to sustain.”

- MAJ (RET) RANDY HARRIS
12 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 17 / ISSUE 3

BIG 60

2017 Marks 60th Anniversary for the Tennessee Air 

National Guard's 134th Air Refueling Wing.

MCGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD 

BASE, Tenn. – In 1957, President Dwight D. Eisenhower was beginning his second term, John 

H. Glenn broke the intercontinental speed record, Tennessee began desegregation in public 

schools, and "West Side Story” made its debut 

on Broadway.

Sixty years ago Knoxville also became 

home to the 134th Fighter Interceptor Group—

now known as the 134th Air Refueling Wing.

The men and women of the 134th have evolved 

over 60 years - proudly serving the Nation and 

the State of Tennessee in true "Volunteer" fashion. Since its inception, Airmen of the 134th 

have flown five different aircraft, contributed in 

every American conflict from the Cold War to 

the Global War on Terror, and assisted Tennesseans during countless natural and man-made 

disasters.

This summer we begin our celebration 

as we remember the people, aircraft, and missions associated with the 134th. Beginning this 

month and ending in December, we will highlight six eras the unit has transitioned through 

as we recall the legacy, contributions and memories from the Cold War, the Berlin Crisis, the 

Creek Party, Operations Desert Shield/Desert 

Storm, and the Global War on Terror. Check out 

our Throwback Thursday posts on Facebook the 

second Thursday of each month to learn more 

about how the initial 134th Fighter Interceptor Group evolved to become the outstanding 

134th Air Refueling Wing of today.

- 2ND LT. JON LADUE

134TH ARW
13

Chaplain baptizes 278th Armored Cavalry Soldier in the 

bucket of a front-end loader at XCTC. 

RESILIENCE 

IN THE FIELD

VIDEO: A rare field baptism was held at Fort Hood, Texas during the U.S. Army National Guard’s eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) program. Chaplain Maj. Seth Rone baptized Spc. Triplett, of RES/278th ACR, in the bucket of a front-end loader.

FAITH
14 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 17 / ISSUE 3

what’s that

mean? patch

HERALDRY

BY MAJ DARRIN HAAS

part 2

PART TWO OF THE SERIES 

FOCUSED ON THE HISTORY OF THE SHOUDER 

SLEEVE INSIGNIAS WORN 

BY MEMBERS OF THE TENNESSEE NATIONAL GUARD 

THROUGHOUT HISTORY.
15

AS THE UNITED STATES ENTERED WORLD WAR I 

in 1917, the U.S. Army had fewer than 200,000 members on active-duty and in the National Guard. Over the next 18 months, the Army grew to over four million troops with 

two million serving in France by the end of the war. These massive numbers inspired 

commanders to give their units distinctive nicknames and insignias to help identify their 

equipment, baggage, personnel, and foster esprit-de-corps. 

One of the first divisions to do so was the “Wildcats” of the 

81st Infantry Division. Formed in August 1917 at Camp Jackson, S.C., it was predominantly comprised of draftees from 

the southeastern United States. The division commander, Maj. 

Gen. Charles J. Bailey, saw that many other units were developing logos and mottos for their troops, so he allowed his Soldiers to develop one too. He eventually approved a snarling 

wildcat logo modeled after a Carolina wildcat captured by one 

of his Soldiers while training near Wildcat Creek. The animal 

became the division mascot. 

Maj. Gen. Bailey then took it a step further and allowed the command to develop a distinctive shoulder patch. They choose the wildcat logo they were already using. He assigned 

different colored patches to different subordinate units and then, on his own authority, 

he authorized the wear of the patches on his Soldier’s left sleeve. 

Bailey’s decision soon drew criticism from other units and senior commanders due to the 

breech in uniform regulations. He was ordered to remove the patches but didn’t, and he 

continued to contest it for roughly five months. Eventually, General John Pershing, the 

American Expeditionary Forces commander, relented and authorized each division to 

submit a Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI) design for review, approval, and then wear. On 

October 19, 1918, the 81st Infantry Division was the first division to submit their design, 

receiving approval the same day, thereby being the first unit authorized to wear a SSI. 

During this time, nearly all members of the Tennessee National Guard, along with Guardsmen from North and South Carolina, were a part of the 30th Infantry Division. It was 

nicknamed the Old Hickory Division after Gen. Andrew Jackson. The division developed a 

logo they used throughout the war that represented the nickname, also submitting their 

design to Pershing. It was approved for official wear on October 23, 1918. This would be 

the first SSI officially worn by members of the Tennessee National Guard.

Since then, the Tennessee National Guard has officially worn nine different SSIs representing various commands within Tennessee over the years. There are four currently 

being worn representing each of Tennessee’s major commands. Every patch has distinct 

markings that celebrate its Tennessee heritage, and the ones that we no longer wear tell 

a rich story as well and should always be remembered. 

In Volume 16, Issue 2 of the Volunteer State Guard magazine, we looked at the four SSIs 

currently worn by members of the Tennessee National Guard. Now, we look at five other 

patches that Tennessee wore proudly from World War I to 2007.
16 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 17 / ISSUE 3

Symbolism: The letters “O H” are the initials of “Old 

Hickory” and the “XXX” is the Roman notation for the 

number of the organization. 

30TH INFANTRY 

DIVISION

“Old Hickory” refers to President 

Andrew Jackson’s toughness as a fighter 

“Tough as old hickory.”

History: During World War I, nearly all members of the Tennessee National Guard were mobilized and became part of the 30th Infantry Division. Made up of Soldiers from Tennessee, North Carolina, and South 

Carolina, they were nicknamed the Old Hickory Division after Gen. 

Andrew Jackson, representing the “sturdy fighting qualities of soldiers 

from these states.” The nickname stuck and Maj. Gen. George Read, the 

Division Commander at the time, personally developed the logo, and 

authorized its use in divisional transportation as early as June 1918. 

It was a custom during the war that the logo, which was an oval shape, 

be displayed with its long axis laid horizontally. The patch was then 

authorized for wear on the uniform by Gen. Pershing in October 1918, 

but with a maroon background and still displayed with its long axis 

horizontal. The color caused some confusion when seen from a distance, it looked purple, as well as the fact that the “O” symbolizing Old 

Hickory was laying on its side. But in June 1922, the design was officially 

changed to have a red background and the long axis would be vertical, 

to look like the letter “O”. 

These changes weren’t widely known by the Soldiers now spread 

throughout three different states and the wear of the patch became 

confusing. The Office of the Quartermaster General was also mistaken 

in this change, and in 1928, approved for the design to be worn with 

the long axis horizontal, a change from vertical, but the background 

color was still red. 

Confusion would last throughout the 30s, but by World War II, the 

division had its Soldiers wearing the patch vertically, officially against 

regulations. Following the war, changes were again made to the design, 

and by 1951, the patch was officially oriented vertically and its size and 

dimensions made clearer. 

Many Tennessee Guardsmen wore this patch from 1918 until 1955, 

when most Guardsmen in Tennessee were reorganized under the 30th 

Armored Division. The wear of the patch continued on in other states 

and was redesignated for the 30th Infantry Brigade in February 1974 

and again in 2004 for the 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team with the 

North Carolina Army National Guard.

HERALDRY
17

Symbolism: Yellow, blue, and red are the colors 

of the branches from which armored units were 

formed. The tank tread, gun, and lightning flash 

are symbolic of mobility, power, and speed. The 

division’s designation is in Arabic numerals. 

30th 

ARMORED

DIVISION

History: The 30th Armored Division was organized in 

Tennessee on October 1954 from Tennessee units that 

were part of the 30th Infantry Division, making it the 

largest organization in the state. During the 1960s and 

1970s, the division responded to many state emergencies, to include riots in Memphis and Nashville in 1968. 

The division was the State’s largest unit until it was 

deactivated in 1973 and the SSI was canceled for wear 

effective November 1973. 

The patch was often seen with a “Volunteer” tab when worn 

with khakis or the dress uniform. It was unauthorized, and 

in 1962, the Division Commander requested that that the 

division officially be given the nickname “Volunteers” and 

be allowed to wear the tab. The Chief of Historical Services 

denied the request and recommended that the division nickname be changed to “Volunteer State” or “Vols.” because 

most Army units were historically made up of volunteers. 

The recommendation was never acted on and Soldiers continued to wear the unauthorized tab. 

HERALDRY
18 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 17 / ISSUE 3

Symbolism: The colors yellow and green are for 

Armor, blue for Infantry and scarlet for Artillery. 

The disk alludes to a targe and buckler and symbolizes the armored strength and protection 

offered by the unit. The disk bearing three stars 

is also found on the State Flag of Tennessee. The 

annulet refers to the unit’s speed and mobility. 

30th SEPARATE

ARMORED brigade

History: Designed in 1974 for the 30th 

Separate Armored Brigade that was organized in 1973 due to the deactivation of 

the 30th Armored Division. It consisted of 

most of the former division units located 

in West Tennessee, and was headquartered in Jackson. The 278th Infantry 

Brigade was organized in East Tennessee 

and was headquartered in Knoxville at 

the same time, encompassing the former division units located in the east. 

The 30th Separate Armored Brigade was 

deactivated in 1996. A “targe” or “buckler” was a small shield, used, not to cover the 

body, but to stop or parry blows.

HERALDRY
19

Symbolism: Scarlet and yellow are the colors used 

for Artillery. The vertical band, known as a “bend” 

in heraldry, is an allusion to the bend in the Tennessee River Known as Moccasin Bend which is in 

Chattanooga, the home of the Brigade headquarters. The gun barrel represents the basic mission, 

and the blue disk with the three stars, adapted 

from the state flag of Tennessee, further alludes to 

the home area of the organization. 

196th field

artillery

brigade

History: In 1973, the 30th Armored Division Artillery, headquartered in Chattanooga, was reorganized and redesignated as the Headquarters for the 196th Field Artillery Group, and relieved 

from assignment to the 30th Armored Division. It was then changed in 1978 to the 196th Field 

Artillery Brigade, spurring the need for a new patch. Designed and authorized in January 1979, 

the unit would wear this patch during its deployment to Desert Shield and Desert Storm from 

December 1990 to May 1991. In 2006, the 196th was converted to the 230th Sustainment Brigade and the unit patch was replaced in 2007. 

Moccasin Bend in Chattanooga, Tenn.

HERALDRY
20 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 17 / ISSUE 3

Symbolism: The design of one gold pheon, an ancient combat weapon, symbolizes the unity and readiness of the 278th 

Infantry Regimental Combat Team to accomplish its mission. 

278th INFANTRY

REGIMENTAL 

COMBAT TEAM

HERALDRY

History: The 278th Infantry Regimental Combat Team was originally created 

as an Armored Infantry Battalion in 1946 from elements of the 117th Infantry Regiment which had just returned from combat in the European theater 

during World War II. In March 1947, the 278th Armored Infantry Battalion 

was expanded to become the 278th Infantry Regiment headquartered in 

Cleveland, Tennessee. At that time, the 278th Infantry Regiment, along with 

the 190th Combat Engineer Company headquartered in Dayton, and the 

191st Field Artillery Battalion headquartered in Maryville, comprised the 

278th Infantry Regimental Combat Team headquartered in Athens. 

On September 1, 1950, over 2,600 Tennessee National Guardsmen from the 

278th Regimental Combat Team were mobilized in support of the Korean 

War. The unit was part of the fourth increment of mobilizations called up 

starting in August of 1950. The regiment was divided up and served in Fort 

Devens, Massachusetts; Pine Camp, New York (now known as Fort Drum); 

and Reykjanesbaer, Iceland. 

In June 1951, the Regiment requested a new SSI. The original design was not 

accepted and in September 1951, the gold pheon patch was authorized for 

wear. After four years on active duty, the 278th RCT was released from federal service on September 8th, 1954 and reverted to state control. The unit 

was not reconstituted and disbanded by October 1954. 

A pheon is a conventional 

heraldic representation of 

the head of a javelin, dart, or 

arrow point.

The original patch design that the Regiment requested in 1951, as seen above, 

was not approved for wear. The patch’s 

symbolism was: “The atomic explosion 

represents the striking power of the 

Regiment, also East Tennessee played 

an important part in the research and 

manufacture of the Atomic Bomb.”
21

TN MAN ‘17

CYBER 

Tennessee National Guard Joins in Statewide Cyber Security Exercise as part of Tennessee Maneuvers 2017.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – From June 12 through 

16, 2017, Soldiers and Airmen of the Tennessee National Guard took part in a statewide exercise focused on cyber threats. This 

is part of the annual joint Tennessee Maneuvers (TNMAN) exercise, working with the 

Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, 

Tennessee State Guard, and various other 

state agencies.

 “TNMAN exercises one of the three key 

focus areas of the National Guard – Domestic Operations,” said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Brown, 

G3 Directorate of Military Support, Tennessee Army National Guard. “Interagency 

coordination during domestic operations 

is built on relationships, and the Tennessee 

National Guard works with our state partners throughout these exercises.”

 “We are fully invested in responding to 

disaster events,” he added. “Outreach, training, and exercises are the best way to build 

key relationships with other agencies and for 

building mutual trust and understanding.”

 Last years exercise scenario centered on 

the New Madrid fault erupting in Memphis. 

This year, the situation is a cyber attack targeting power grids across the state.

 “The exercise was developed with TEMA, 

and is coupled with the Guard’s response to 

extreme temperatures in the state as well as 

various civil unrest scenarios,” said Brown.

 Part of the “civil unrest” requires the 

Tennessee Army National Guard’s 168th 

Military Police Battalion, out of Dyersburg, 

Tenn., to team up with the Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) and state 

parks in Milan.

 “The 1/230th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 

based in Nashville, Tenn., is also participating with the TDOC portion of the exercise, 

conducting flights of TDOC and state park 

personnel from Nashville to Milan, to replicate interagency movement,” said Brown.

 The National Guard has a smaller footprint in this year’s exercise due to their largest unit, the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, previously scheduled training at Fort 

Hood, Texas.

 “Last year was proof that the adaptive battle staff concept worked with multiple units 

participating,” explained Brown. “This year, 

we had to scale it back due to the amount 

of resources needed to support the training 

event in Texas.”

 TNMAN is critical for interagency relationship building across the state.

 “It enables our state partners and ourselves 

to better understand each other’s capabilities 

and limitations, making us better equipped 

to handle real-world situations that occur 

within the state,” Brown said. “We need to 

understand how the emergency response effort works at every level; to understand the 

language, planning factors and how we all 

operate.”

 “Our internal education of the domestic framework will speed our response and 

ultimately mitigate suffering for our fellow 

citizens in a time of crisis,” he added. “These 

are excellent exercises to continue to train 

and refine the practices of the Tennessee National Guard. They build confidence in our 

members and competency in domestic response missions.”

- MASTER SGT ROBIN BROWN

Tech. Sgt. Anthony Cherry, left, and 

Staff Sgt. Philip Wallace work in the 

Emergency Operations Center of 

the Tennessee National Guard Joint 

Force Headquarters June 15. (Photo 

by Master Sgt. Robin Brown) 
22 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 17 / ISSUE 3

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – July 16, 2015, 

was a very quiet summer morning in Chattanooga. Grover Wilson had just finished patrolling a residential area and was thinking 

about where he might stop for a quick lunch. 

A field training officer with the Chattanooga 

Police Department, Wilson decided to meet 

with a fellow police officer at a local Arby’s. 

Just after the officers met in the parking lot, 

they heard one of the worst announcements 

an officer could hear come over their police 

radio, “shots fired!” 

 The officers stopped, and when the location was announced, Wilson immediately 

thought, “That’s not far from here, let’s go!” 

 The officers sped off to help. Within minutes, Wilson had pulled his cruiser into the 

parking lot of a local strip mall where the 

first thing he saw was several bullet holes 

in the windows of the military recruiting 

station responsible for supporting the U.S. 

Army, Air Force, Marines, and the Tennessee Army National Guard. The recruiting 

station also had numerous shell casings in 

the parking lot and in front of the recruiting 

office entrance. 

 A fellow police officer on the scene that 

had arrived earlier then gave him a quick 

description of the shooter’s vehicle, the driver, and the suspect's direction of travel. The 

information was limited, but Wilson, who 

was also a lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard, was determined 

to catch whoever did this. He wasn’t just responding to a shooting, it was an attack on 

his fellow service members. He felt 

it could also be an act of terrorism, 

so he sped off to find the gunman 

and keep him from inflicting more 

harm.

Lt. Col. Wilson

Everyone has a different definition 

of a hero. Some say heroes wear 

capes while others say they are 

mothers and fathers who actively 

raise a child. When asked if Wilson 

was a hero that day, he simply replied, “No, I was doing my job.” But 

what he did was nothing less than 

heroic. 

 When not wearing a police uniform or a member of the SWAT 

team, Wilson is wearing the Operation Camouflage Pattern (OCP) 

uniform as the deputy commander 

of the 230th Sustainment Brigade, 

Tennessee Army National Guard. 

A resident of Chattanooga, Wilson is a 

graduate of the University of Tennessee at 

Chattanooga with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He also earned a Master’s of 

Science in Criminal Justice from American 

Military University. Wilson was commissioned in 1990 and deployed to Iraq with the 

278th Armored Cavalry Regiment in 2004. 

It was there Wilson learned various techniques for urban operations. These tasks, 

along with many others, became the foundation for his military career and his career as 

a police officer with the Chattanooga Police 

Department.

 Wilson deployed two more times after 

his initial deployment to Iraq. In 2008, he 

deployed to Bosnia for five months and later 

to Kuwait in 2011, both as a member of the 

230th Sustainment Brigade. During each of 

Lt. Col. Grover Wilson Recalls the 2015 Attack on a Navy 

and Marine Reserve Center in Chattanooga, Tenn.

OUR HEROIC 

LEGACY

Grover Wilson is a Field Training 

Officer with the Chattanooga Police Department and member of the 

Tennessee National Guard. (Courtesy 

Photo) 

HEROES
23

these deployments, he was able to hone the 

skills necessary to prepare him for that fateful day in July 2015. 

 “The military pre-deployment training 

helped prepare me for that day,” said Wilson. “I used the training I learned during 

my deployments as an enhancement for our 

SWAT training.” All of the military pre-mobilization training as well as SWAT training 

and a take charge mentality prepared Wilson 

for the moment when he would be called 

upon to take the shot that killed a terrorist 

in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

July 16

 Since it was nearing lunch time, there was 

a lot of traffic on the road as Wilson sped in 

the direction of where he thought the shooter might be. While in pursuit, Wilson’s police cruiser reached speeds of 120 miles per 

hour. He listened intently to the radio when 

he heard police dispatchers report that the 

shooter was now at a different military facility, the U.S Navy and Marine Corps Reserve 

Center at 4051 Amnicola Highway in Chattanooga, which was in the direction he was 

heading. 

 As he arrived to the scene, he heard gunfire. Several police officers were already 

there and had taken a covered position 

at a safe distance along a tree line. Wilson 

grabbed his rifle and extra ammunition and 

ran to them. He looked at the officers and 

said, “Guys, we can’t do anything from here. 

Follow me.” With that, Wilson led the charge 

to take down a terrorist. 

 As Wilson and the other police officers 

approached the front of the center, he signaled for some to break to the left side of 

the facility and for some to go to the middle 

while he and the others went to the right. 

They could hear the gunshots to the rear of 

the facility and Wilson’s intent was to ensure 

the terrorist would not double back on them. 

He wanted to prevent the gunman’s escape. 

Wilson knew the back of the center had a 

fenced-in motor pool which could contain 

the gunman. 

 When Wilson reached the corner of the 

building, he went left and took cover behind 

a large air conditioning unit. Wilson felt this 

would provide the best cover and concealment which would allow him to assess the 

situation. The motor pool was in front of 

him and Wilson could see between the privacy slats on the chain link fence. Suddenly, 

he saw the gunman thru the chain link fence 

and without hesitation, Wilson fired his rifle. Only a few rounds discharged before 

his weapon jammed. Without hesitation, 

Wilson instinctively dropped his magazine, 

cleared the jammed round, and loaded a different magazine containing different ammunition. He fired again, striking the gunman 

and ending the attack. 

Aftermath

 On October 5, 2016, the Chattanooga Police Department recognized Wilson, 

along with several other police officers, 

for their valorous actions on July 16, 2015. 

Chief Fred Fletcher, Chief of the Chattanooga Police, presented Wilson with the 

Police Medal, the Medal of Valor, and the 

Leadership Award. 

 Beyond that, Wilson received little 

recognition for his heroism that day. The 

Chattanooga Times Free Press did write 

a story on him and the other officers, but 

Wilson does not do what he does for recognition. He does his job as a police officer 

and as a military officer for a greater purpose, not for self-glory. He is a servant leader, ensuring the welfare of others before his 

own personal comfort. 

 Throughout all this, Wilson and the Chattanooga Police Department have had a great 

relationship. “I want to thank them for their 

continued support of my National Guard 

service. They have been great to work with 

and allowing me to fulfill National Guard 

obligations. My deployments, as well as my 

long term active duty order last summer as 

part of Operation Anaconda in Poland bring 

a lot of experience to the police force. My 

interactions with other cultures allow me a 

better understanding and appreciation of 

various ethnicities.” 

 The events of July 16, 2015, changed the 

lives of many people. It changed the lives 

of the citizens of Chattanooga. It changed 

the lives all of the first responders. It also 

changed the Force Protection Posture of the 

Tennessee National Guard. More importantly, it changed the lives of the families of 

the Marines and Sailor who were taken from 

us that day. Rest in Peace Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Randall Smith, Sgt. Carson A. 

Holmquist, Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan, Lance Cpl. Squire K. “Skip” Wells, and 

Staff Sgt. David Wyatt. - LT COL (RET) JOSEPH HOLLISTER

Lt. Col. Grover Wilson (second from 

left) receives an award from Maj. Gen. 

Max Haston (far left) at the NGATN 

Conference. (Courtesy Photo) 
24 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 17 / ISSUE 3

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee National 

Guardsmen scored high in the Chief National Guard Bureau Postal Match that took 

place May 20-26 at Camp Joseph T. Robinson in North Little Rock, Ark.

 The Tennessee team consisted of five 

members of the Army and Air National 

Guard. Air National Guard members were 

Staff Sgt. Allen Hendryx, Master Sgt. Brian 

McDonald, and Lt. Col. Keith Stiles, all from 

the 164th Airlift Wing based in Memphis, 

Tenn. Army National Guard members were 

Sgt. Christopher Fischer of Detachment 1, 

268th Military Police Company, based in Alamo, Tenn., and Capt. Andrew Hahn of the 

268th MP Co. out of Ripley, Tenn.

 Hendryx took first place in the Combat 

Rifle Excellence in Competition, second 

place in the 3-Gun Shoot Out Championship, and third place in the General George 

Patton Combat Rifle Match.

 Hahn took first place in the Rifle Individual Champion, and in the Close Quarter 

Engagement Matches; second place in the 

General George Patton Combat Rifle Match, 

Close Quarter Battle, and Rifle Run Down; 

Tennessee National Guard Provides Fierce Opponents at 

National Marksmanship Competition.

TENNESSEE IS 

ON THE MARK

Tennessee National Guard Soldiers 

and Airmen participate in the annual Adjutant General’s Pistol Match 

May 19-21 at the Volunteer Training Site in Tullahoma, Tenn. (Photo 

by Master Sgt. Robin Brown) 

COMPETITION
25

and third place in the 3-Gun Shoot Out 

Championship and Reflexive Fire portion 

of the competition.

 McDonald took third place in the Pistol Positional Match, and Stiles took third 

place in the Rifle Run Down.

 All members made the top 20 of the 

Overall Individual CNGB Postal Match 

Championship: Hahn – 8th, Hendryx – 

11th, Fischer – 12th, McDonald – 17th, 

and Stiles – 20th. 

 Team Tennessee proved to be fierce 

opponents in several of the matches that 

make up the entire competition. Out of 

the approximately 20 different matches, the Tennessee National Guardsmen 

achieved positions in the top ten 38 times. 

Most matches had 52 competitors, but 

several had nearly 100.

 Additionally, Tennessee recently held 

its state level Adjutant General Pistol 

Match on May 19-21. The Tennessee Air 

National Guard’s 118th Wing, Joint Base 

Berry Field, Nashville, Tenn., took first 

place team for the competition. The Volunteer Training Site in Tullahoma took 

second and the 269th MP Co., based in 

Murfreesboro, Tenn., placed third.

 Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Aaron Davis of B-Troop, 278th Armored 

Cavalry Regiment, Clarksville, Tenn., 

took first place in the individual competition. Army National Guard Sgt. Charles 

Wright, 1/230th Assault Helicopter Battalion at Joint Base Berry Field in Nashville, Tenn., took second in the individual 

competition. Finally, Air National Guard 

Tech. Sgt. Michael Carey, 118th Wing, 

Nashville, Tenn., placed third in the individual competition. 

 The purpose of the state level competition is to train and learn. Regional and 

national level competitions are meant to 

showcase your skills. While safety is paramount at all shooting events, participants 

do get some down time to relax and meet 

their fellow Guardsmen from across the 

state.

- MASTER SGT ROBIN BROWN

The U.S. Army awarded Sig Sauer a contract worth $580 million to 

make the next service pistol based 

on the company’s P320 handgun, 

according to an announcement from 

the Army on Thursday, Jan. 19. 

Sig Sauer beat out Glock, Smith & 

Wesson, and Beretta, the maker of 

the current M9 9mm service pistol, 

in the competition for the Modular 

Handgun System, or MHS.

The P320 Full-Size offers a smooth, 

crisp trigger to make any shooter 

more accurate, an intuitive, 3-point 

takedown and unmatched modularity to fit any shooter and any situation. Its full-size frame is ideal for 

target shooting, home defense and 

any scenario where shootability and 

sighted accuracy are of the highest 

priority. This modular, striker-fired 

pistol features a full-size grip, full 

length slide, and choice of contrast 

or SIGLITE Night Sights. Available 

calibers include 9mm, .357SIG, 

.40S&W and .45ACP. Safety features include a striker safety, disconnect safety. 

(www.sigsauer.com)

THE

P320

The Sig Sauer P320 (above) will reportedly 

be replacing the Beretta M9 as the Army’s 

new service pistol.
26 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 17 / ISSUE 3

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Airmen from the 

118th Security Forces Squadron had the 

special honor to host and train four officers 

from the Bulgarian Air Force May 30-June 1, 

at Joint Base Berry Field Air National Guard 

Base, Nashville, Tenn.

 Tennessee partners with Bulgaria under the State Partnership Program, which 

is designed to provide cooperative training 

to allied military forces, strengthen global 

partnerships, and enhance regional security 

around the world. 

 “The Tennessee-Bulgaria State Partnership 

has facilitated mutually beneficial training 

opportunities for all parties, encompassing 

a myriad of skillsets and experiences,” said 

Lt. Col. Tucker Rojas, Tennessee State Partnership Program director. “The Tennessee 

National Guard is a better, stronger fighting 

force as a result of our enduring partnership 

with Bulgaria.”

 “This long standing relationship gives us 

an opportunity in the future to continue to 

be useful to each other,” said Col. Nikolay 

Lyaskovski, head of Force Protection in the 

Branch of Training Department for the Bulgarian Air Force. “Because we are both military and we are both NATO allies.”

 On this visit, the Bulgarian officers received in-depth training from several memTennessee Air National Guardsmen Foster a Cooperative 

Partnership with the Bulgarian Air Force.

BULGARIANS

TRAIN IN TENN.

Lt. Col. Toma Dimitrov, a member 

of the Bulgarian Air Force, practices using riot gear on May 31, 2017 

at Joint Base Berry Field, Nashville, 

Tenn. (Photo by Senior Airman 

Anthony Agosti) 

118TH WING
27

bers of the 118th SFS.

 “They were coming to learn about force 

protection,” said Master Sgt. John Chaffin, 

the operations superintendent for the 118th 

SFS. “So I broke it down on how the security 

forces squadron is set up.”

 Trainings covering the anti-terrorism program, firing range operations, access control 

points, and active shooter situations were 

some of the main topics of training provided 

to the visiting Bulgarian officers, said Chaffin.

 “They showed a great interest in learning how we educate our base populace,” said 

Chaffin. “We are trying to get them some resources to take back home.”

 The Bulgarian officers also got a chance to 

take part in some hands on training.

 “We were privileged to observe the (simulated munitions) training,” said Lyaskovski. “And I am most proud to say two people 

from my team also took part in it.”

 Training events like this have proven very 

effective in fostering relations between the 

two states.

 “The Bulgaria and Tennessee relationship 

is both strong and enduring; dating back to 

1993, we have participated in over 500 military to military events with our Bulgarian 

state partners,” said Rojas. “We have even 

deployed to Afghanistan together between 

2009 and 2011.”

 “We sincerely hope that our mutual cooperation and partnership will continue in 

the future,” said Lyaskovski. “In order to improve our contacts and partnership.”

 The information provided to the Bulgarian officers should be beneficial in not only 

supporting the security mission of the Bulgarian Air Force, but also for U.S. service 

members stationed with them.

 “We will try to implement what we have 

learned in the future, and make our facilities 

more secure,” said Lyaskovski. “Especially 

the joint facilities, which are used by U.S. 

and Bulgarian forces for joint training.”

 “They work on a lot less budget then we 

do, that’s probably one of their biggest limiters,” said Chaffin. “But if we can get them 

some education materials to take back to 

their people and their bases, I think it would 

be a good trip.” 

- SENIOR AIRMAN ANTHONY AGOSTI

Maj. Bozhidar Petrov, a member of the Bulgarian Air Force, 

examines a riot control helmet on May 31, at Joint Base Berry 

Field, Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Darrell Hamm) 
28 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 17 / ISSUE 3

TNVCA PROGRAM

The Tennessee National Guard’s Volunteer 

ChalleNGe Academy Officially Opens its Doors 

Gov. Bill Haslam officially opened the 

Tennessee Volunteer ChalleNGe Academy, an alternative residential program 

operated by the Tennessee National 

Guard that offers youth 16-18 years 

old who have dropped out of school a 

chance to earn a high school equivalency diploma outside of a traditional 

school setting. 

 The academy is housed at the site of 

the former Woodland Hills Youth Development Center in Nashville where 

Deputy Gov. Jim Henry and Maj. Gen. 

Max Haston joined Haslam for a ribbon cutting ceremony. The first class of 

about 100 cadets began July 9.

 “This is an innovative approach to 

help teens who may be headed down 

the wrong path to change the trajectory of their lives. It sets them up for 

success by helping them earn high 

school diplomas and makes them eligible for Tennessee Promise, which is 

right in line with our Drive to 55 goals,” 

Haslam said. “It’s a great example of the 

departments of military and children’s 

services collaborating in an inventive 

way to serve young Tennesseans.” 

 The program is voluntary and open 

to youth with no criminal record. 

It consists of a 22-week residential 

phase during which cadets focus on 

core components in a quasi-military 

environment while setting goals and 

creating a life plan. Graduates return 

to their communities for a 12-month 

post-residential phase under supervision of caring adult mentors who serve 

as role models.

 “For the past 15 years, the Military 

Department has attempted to establish a Youth ChalleNGe program,” said 

Haston, Tennessee’s adjutant general. 

“Through our collaboration with the 

Department of Children’s Services we 

have done so. Our goal is to provide cadets with the opportunity to complete 

high school, or the high school equivalency test, and get a job while learning 

life, leadership and social skills they 

can use as productive citizens for the 

the Challe

Open for 
29

rest of their lives. I can’t say thank you enough to 

Gov. Haslam, Deputy Gov. Henry, and Commissioner Bonnie Hommrich for making this a reality.”

 The Tennessee Volunteer ChalleNGe Academy 

was approved by the U.S. Department of Defense 

and is the 40th in the country. Its implementation is 

one of the steps in the governor’s public safety action 

plan.

 Funding for the program was part of Haslam’s 

budget that consisted of $4.35 million from new federal funds and a $1.35 million state investment.

 For additional information on the program and 

how to apply, visit the Tennessee Volunteer ChalleNGe Academy online at www.tn.gov/tnvolunteerchallenge.

Story courtesy lebanondemocrat.com

Gov. Bill Haslam greets cadre and instructors at the Volunteer ChalleNGe Academy housed in Nashville. The program 

is designed to intervene in and reclaim the lives of at-risk 

youth and produce program graduates with the values, life 

skills, education, and self-discipline necessary to succeed as 

productive citizens of Tennessee. (Photo by Dawn Majors)

Gov. Bill Haslam speaks to a crowd of onlookers during the official opening of the Tennessee 

Volunteer ChalleNGe Academy. (Photo by Dawn 

Majors)

NGe 
30 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 17 / ISSUE 3

VINE GROVE, Ky. – The viral photo of a 

Soldier saluting a funeral procession while 

standing in the rain has been identified. 

Col. Jack L. Usrey is the Senior Army Advisor to the Adjutant General at Tennessee 

National Guard Headquarters in Nashville, 

Tenn. While driving from Fort Knox, Ky., 

last week, Usrey saw a funeral procession, 

stopped, got out of his vehicle and paid his 

respects to the deceased.

 “I didn’t really think,” said Usrey. “I just 

did what my parents taught me to do growing up.” 

 “I stopped, got out, saluted the police escort and held my salute as the hearse and 

family passed by, then went on my way and 

didn’t give it a second thought.”

 The photo, that has since gone viral, was 

Viral Photo of Soldier Saluting Funeral Procession Identified as Tennessee National Guardsmen.

TOUCHING 

SALUTE

Col. Jack Usrey stands and salutes 

a passing funeral procession in a 

small town in Kentucky. The photo, 

taken by Erin Hester and posted 

to Facebook and Instagram, has 

been shared more than 133,000 

times, garnered more than 196,000 

“Likes”, and generated more than 

9,282 comments on social media. 

(Photo by Erin Hester).

RESPECT
31

taken and shared on Facebook and Instagram by Erin Hester of Vine Grove, Ky., on 

Thursday, July 6th. Since that time, the photo has garnered more than 196,000 “Likes”, 

been shared nearly 133,000 times and generated more than 9,200 comments.

 In her Facebook post, Hester said, “I was 

so completely touched by this today. A funeral procession was passing by and this soldier got out of his jeep to stand at attention 

in the pouring rain. I always get frustrated 

when I see cars that don’t pull to the side 

and stop for a procession, but this gentleman went above and beyond. I feel pretty 

confident that there isn’t a military rule that 

soldiers have to do this. This made my heart 

happy to see the amount of respect that this 

gentleman showed a family that he doesn’t 

even know.”

 “Two days later, I saw the photo hit Facebook – since then it’s exploded,” Usrey said. 

“It’s baffling to me that something so simple 

caused so much attention. I guess it goes to 

show how simple it would be for our Nation 

to be more united if we just treated each other using the Golden Rule.”

 A mutual friend at Fort Knox contacted 

Hester and said they were sure they knew 

the Soldier in the photo and contacted Usrey. The photographer and the subject of the 

photo connected by phone and Hester was 

able to express her appreciation personally.

 Usrey started his career in the Tennessee 

Army National Guard in 1988 as an enlisted 

Soldier in Union City, Tenn. After graduating as a distinguished military graduate from 

the University of Tennessee at Martin ROTC 

program, Usrey served on active duty as an 

Armor and Adjutant General officer for 25 

years. His assignments ranged from tank 

platoon leader to the Executive Officer to the 

Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower 

and Reserve Affairs).

 He has served in the 82nd Airborne 

Division, United States Army Recruiting 

Command, 1st Armored Division, Special 

Operations Command Pacific, 8th Theater 

Sustainment Command, 1st Cavalry Division, III Corps, and the Combined Arms 

Support Command. Usrey’s operational and 

combat deployments include Operation 

(Restore) Uphold Democracy, Joint Task 

Force-Bravo, Operation Joint Guardian, 

Operation Iraqi Freedom I, Operation Iraqi 

Freedom 07-09, Operation Enduring Freedom XII, and Operation Enduring Freedom 

XIV.

 Usrey is a native of Martin, Tenn. and has 

more than 29 years of military service.

- MAJ (RET) RANDY HARRIS

Col. Jack Usrey, Official Military Photo. 
32 VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD VOL. 17 / ISSUE 3

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Tennessee Gov. Bill 

Haslam recently signed the Tennessee 

STRONG (Support, Training and Renewing 

Opportunity for National Guard) Act at the 

Tennessee Department of Military in Nashville. Haslam was joined by Rep. Tilman 

Goins (R-Morristown), Rep. David Hawk 

(R-Greeneville) and Major General Max 

Haston, Tennessee’s Adjutant General. 

 The Tennessee STRONG Act is the governor’s legislation that provides tuition free 

educational opportunities for eligible members of the Tennessee National Guard and 

supports the Drive to 55 goal to increase 

the number of Tennesseans with a degree 

or certificate to 55 percent by 2025.

 The Senate passed HB 530/SB 1216 31-0 

on April 3, and the House of Representatives passed the legislation 97-0 on April 10.

 The Tennessee STRONG Act creates a 

four-year pilot program for members of the 

Tennessee National Guard. Eligible members will qualify for tuition reimbursement 

toward a first time bachelor’s degree. The 

legislation is part of Haslam’s NextTennessee legislative plan aimed at building and 

sustaining economic growth and the state’s 

competitiveness for the next generation of 

Tennesseans. - CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 4 NICK ATWOOD

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam Signs the Tennessee STRONG 

Act at the Joint Force Headquarters in Nashville.

STRONG ACT

TO FOLLOW

Gov. Bill Haslam signs the Tennessee 

STRONG (Support, Training and Renewing Opportunity for National Guard) 

Act May 25, 2017 at the Tennessee Department of Military in Nashville. (Photo by Master Sgt. Robin Brown)

EDUCATION
33

As we celebrate the centennial of the 

United States’ participation in World War I, there 

are many books, articles, and stories worth reading that highlight the role of Tennesseans in the 

Great War. Many look at the U.S. participation in 

its entirety and mention noteworthy Tennesseans 

like Clifton Cates, a U.S. Marine who was a platoon leader during the Great War and would later 

become the commandant of the Marine Corps. 

Others highlight the heroics of Tennessee’s most 

famous Soldier, Sgt. Alvin York. But he was just 

one of six Tennesseans who earned the Medal of 

Honor while fighting in France, and one of thousands of Tennesseans who fought valiantly. 

What is often forgotten about the State’s 

role in the war is that of its National Guard. 

Drafted in its entirety in the summer of 1917, 

more than 95 percent of the Guard would deploy 

to France and fight as part of the 30th Infantry 

Division comprised of Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina National Guard troops. 

Tennessee’s five other Medal of Honor recipients 

all came from this division, fought with it during 

its most fierce fighting, and started their service 

as members of the Tennessee National Guard. 

Currently, the best work written that highlights this division and the role they played in the 

Great War is Michael Yockelson’s Borrowed Soldiers: Americans under British Command, 1918.

Not intended as a chronicle of just the 30th Infantry Division, it is a thorough examination of New 

York’s 27th Infantry Division and the 30th’s role 

in the American Expeditionary Force. Particularly, he focuses on how these two divisions were the 

only U.S. divisions in II Corps and assigned to 

the British Expeditionary Force. It was the first 

time that the British and Americans would fight 

together as part of a coalition, something which 

would happen prominently in World War II and 

America’s more modern wars in the Middle East. 

Yockelson, a military historian with a 

Ph.D. from Cranfield University, currently works 

as an investigative archivist in the Office of the 

Inspector General for the National Archives and 

Records Administration. He was a professor at 

the United States Naval Academy and now teaches graduate classes in history at Norwich University. While using numerous primary sources, 

records, diaries, letters, and official papers from 

Great Britain and the United States, he masterfully chronicles the experiences of the 27th and 30th 

Divisions from their initial training in the United States through their combat if France. What 

Yockelson highlights is the difference in experiences these two divisions had compared to other 

American divisions. The 27th and 30th fought in 

the Somme and around Ypres, taking part in the 

breaking of the Hindenburg Line, while most other Americans troops were engaged at the SaintMihiel Salient and later the Meuse-Argonne.

Throughout his work, Yockelson examines the various aspects and levels of warfighting, 

the role that the National Guard units played, and 

how they were crucial to the British fight along 

the Hindenburg Line. The historical importance 

of these events and the impact they have on later 

warfighting coalitions makes this work a valuable 

addition to the library of any Soldier at all levels 

of leadership. Also, it is one of the few works that 

discusses the creation and early combat history 

of the 30th Infantry Division, of which the Tennessee National Guard played a crucial role. This 

work should be a must have for anyone interested 

in the history of the Tennessee National Guard 

and the role they played in World War I. 

- MAJ DARRIN HAAS

BORROWED SOLDIERS

Borrowed Soldiers:

Americans under British 

Command, 1918.

By Mitchell A. Yockelson, 

John S. D. Eisenhower 

(Foreword) 

Norman: University of 

Oklahoma Press, 2008. 

BOOK REVIEW

Maj. Darrin Haas Gives his Review of:

* Maj. Darrin Haas is the Historian for the Tennessee Military Dept.
Produced in collaboration with the Tennessee Military Department 

and the Tennessee National Guard