VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 1VOL. 15, ISSUE 2

THE JOURNEY OF 

TENN. FEMALE 

CHAPLAINS

the

TAG

interview with

Max Haston,

Tennessee’s

Adjutant

General

 WINNER OF THE 2014 NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU MEDIA CONTEST
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 2

 Find out more information at www.ngaus.org

September 10 - 13, 2015 Nashville, Tenn.
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 3

VOLUME 15 ISSUE 2

THE VOLUNTEER STATE GUARD MAGAZINE

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

WINNER “BEST WEB-BASED PUBLICATION” - 2014 NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU MEDIA CONTEST

FEATURES

PAGE 8 

THE TAG

An Interview with Max Haston, Tennessee’s Adjutant General

PAGE 18 

OUR FEMALE CHAPLAINS

Attaining the role of military chaplain 

has not always been an easy journey 

for women 

TRAINING

PAGE 14

CAV VIRTUAL TRAINING

278th Troops Train in the Real and Virtual World for Success.

PAGE 22

EDUCATION VIA SATELLITE

Airmen in Nashville use satellite technology to further their education. 

FAMILY

PAGE 17

GAINING KNOWLEDGE AFTER DEPLOYMENT

Yellow Ribbon Program Welcomes 

Troops Home.

PAGE 26

WEDDING IN FORMATION

Tenn. Soldiers Hold Impromptu Wedding In Formation.

PAGE 29

RONALD MCDONALD 

HOUSE BREAKFAST 

164th Mission Support Group serves 

breakfast to families in need.

RESPONSE

PAGE 24

WINTER STORM

Tenn. Guard Surveys Winter Storm 

Damage Response.

RECOGNITION

PAGE 16

VET GETS BRONZE STAR

Vet Receives Bronze Star 63 Years 

After Having Earned it.

PAGE 21

NGAT DIRECTOR 

RECEIVES AWARD

Larry McKnight Receives the Col. 

James F. Gamble Award.

PAGE 28

TULLAHOMA UNIT RECEIVES NEW 1SG

1st Sgt. Kenneth Latham Welcomed as 

New First Sergeant. 

PAGE 30

GEN HARRY MONTGOMERY 

RETIRES

Chief of Staff, Tennessee Air National 

Guard Retires.

PAGE 31

GEN BAKER PROMOTED TO 

ATAG

Brig. Gen. Tommy H. Baker is appointed Assistant Adjutant General-Army.

PAGE 32

GEN KENNETT PROMOTION

Brig. Gen. Tommy H. Baker is appointed the Chief of Staff-Air.

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

ART DIRECTION

SENIOR EDITORS

PHOTOGRAPHY 

WRITERS

MAJ (Ret) Randy Harris

Rob Pennington

Lt. Col. (Ret) Niki Gentry

Master Sgt. Robin Olsen 

Rob Pennington

MAJ (Ret) Randy Harris

Lt. Col. (Ret) Niki Gentry

CW4 Nick Atwood

CW2 Emily Wiest

Master Sgt. Robin Olsen

Master Sgt. Kendra M. Owenby

Master Sgt. Matt Schwartz

SSG Melissa Wood

SSG Delana Hull

SSG Mathieu Perry

SGT Matt Young

SGT Jennifer C. Johnson

SGT Sarah Holt

MAJ (Ret.) Randy Harris

Lt. Col. (Ret) Niki Gentry

CW4 Nick Atwood

Master Sgt. Robin Olsen 

SGT Kirby W. Bannister, Jr.

SGT Benjamin M. Hilton

SGT Matt Young

SGT Sarah Holt

ON THE COVER

Max Haston, Tennessee’s Adjutant 

General speaking at the Tennessee State Capitol. Photo by SSG 

Melissa Wood.
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 4

SNIPER TRYOUTS

Think you have what it takes to be a Sniper? In March, the 1/278th ACR Sniper Section conducted a selection process in order to test Soldiers trying out to 

become snipers.

PHOTO BY: 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 5

THE GUARD HELPS GARTH

Staff Sgt. Glenn Tate, 129th Army Band, Tenn. Army National Guard, played 

taps with Garth Brooks for a concert the country singer played as part of the 

Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. 

PHOTO BY: SSG Delana Hull

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 6

MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD

On March 11, 2015 Gov. Bill Haslam met with Tennessee Adjutant General, Maj. 

Gen Max Haston, military-connected youth, and their families to sign a proclamation 

declaring April as Month of the Military Child in Tennessee.

PHOTO BY: CW2 Emily Wiest

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 7

JEAA HELPING VETERANS

Members of the Junior Enlisted Advisory Association (JEAA) from 134th Air Refueling Wing in Knoxville, Tenn., collected canned goods for the Blount County Veterans Affairs Office food pantry. 

PHOTO BY: Master Sgt. Kendra M. Owenby 

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 8

Major General Terry M. “Max” Haston speaking at the 

Veteran’s Day ceremony at the Tennessee Capitol. (Photo by SSG Melissa Wood)

the

TAG

an interview with

Max Haston,

Tennessee’s

Adjutant

General

INTERVIEWED BY CW4 NICK ATWOOD
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 9

TAG INTERVIEW

CW4 Atwood: Command of Tennessee’s Military forces is a 

responsibility held by notable 

figures of our nation’s history 

such as former President Andrew Jackson and Sam Houston, who later became the President of the Republic of Texas. 

Describe for our readers what it 

means to you personally having 

been selected, first by Governor Bredesen and now Governor 

Haslam, to join in the company 

of these great leaders.

Maj. Gen. Haston: What it really means is 

that the Guard has evolved past the role of 

politics and into capabilities and technical 

and tactical skills that are required to be a 

military commander. That’s a credit to Governor Bredesen and Governor Haslam because they looked at the qualifications rather than the politics of appointing someone. 

The National Guard; this country; the military has been at war for the past 13 years. 

Now, I’m not sure America’s been at war 

because only the military and their families 

have been daily affected by this. In the wars 

in Iraq and Afghanistan we didn’t see a national commitment like we did in World War 

II. What we’ve seen is the military’s commitment. And, so having said that, I think our 

Commanders in Chief of this state realized 

that fact and have said, “Look, we’ve got to 

appoint someone who understands the military and is technically and tactically capable 

of leading our Soldiers. Now, the first part 

of your question, talking about even being 

mentioned in the same sentence with people like Sam Houston and Andrew Jackson 

along with those folks whose pictures hang 

on the wall outside my office—Dan Wood, 

Gus Hargett, Carl Wallace, Van Nunally, Joe 

Henry—they are not just part of, but have 

helped write Tennessee history, and that is 

very humbling to me. To even be mentioned 

in the same sentence or be captured on the 

same wall with those guys is very humbling. 

I mentioned Major Gen. Joe W. Henry—he 

eventually became the Chief Justice of our 

Tennessee Supreme Court. He was the Chief 

Justice when Lamar Alexander took office 

prior to the originally scheduled inauguration in the aftermath of a scandal involving 

his predecessor Governor Ray Blanton. So 

it tells you how ingrained and embedded 

that is. You mentioned Sam Houston—this 

guy served as the Governor of two states, 

the President of a Republic, and Father of a 

Country—and who he was associated with, 

people like the famous Davy Crockett, Jim 

Bowie, and James Travis. You think about 

those guys and the history involved--that 

people of this state birthed another state 

called Texas. It’s very humbling. 

CW4 Atwood: With so much written on the subject of leadership 

these days, it is nearly impossible to deny the importance implied by the writers. One Army 

inspector even went so far as to 

comment to me years ago his 

view when he said, “leadership 

makes the world go around.” 

What are your thoughts on his 

comment and I’d like you to elaborate on the basic principles of 

your command/leadership philosophy.

Maj. Gen. Haston: I think what has to happen first is that every individual has to define leadership and understand what leadership means. I think leadership in what we 

do is the ability for one person, the leader 

him or herself, must to be able to get people 

to do what they want them to do and make 

them think it’s their idea. That engages their 

innovativeness and accomplishes the mission. The role we sit in that “getting them 

to do what you want them to do” could be 

very dangerous and cost them their lives. 

And so that’s another added requirement, 

incentive to ensure that people are doing 

the right thing and are being technically 

and tactically proficient with their people. 

I was raised by an NCO and so my philosophy of leadership is maybe a little bit different. The fact that my Dad was a career 

NCO told me that, “there ain’t nothing too 

hard to do if you ain’t the person that’s got to 

do it.” It’s Important to be able to put yourself in the position of when you ask somebody to do something, make sure that you, 

the leader, are willing to fall in there and do 

it with them and experience it with them. 

Whether it’s tactical or administrative, or 

whatever the situation. You may not be the 

absolute professional and understand everything about that task, but to be a good leader 

you’ve got to understand what your people 

do. I also find it amazing that when you ask 

people to do things, or ask them how they’re 

doing it, (and to get our young warriors to 

show you as a leader how to do it)—that instills pride in them and what they’re doing 

in the unit. I think it’s a bit of a blender or 

a full circle of leading them but understanding what they’re doing and getting them to 

demonstrate to you their professionalism 

and their ability to accomplish that mission. 

It’s really a complete circle. We as leaders 

are only as strong as our weakest link. So 

therefore, to me as a leader, I must be able 

to invest in those places where I see that we 

have requirements, or we have vulnerability. 

To help that Soldier or that Airman is what a 

true leader does. They focus on that. There’s 

the global mission that we have to accomplish, the overarching 50,000 foot level misMajor General Terry M. “Max” Haston is 

Tennessee’s 75th Adjutant General. The Adjutant General is appointed by the governor and 

is also the Commissioner of the Tennessee Military Department. The 

Adjutant General is responsible for the leadership and command 

of the Tennessee Army 

and Air National Guard, 

the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, the Tennessee State 

Guard, and the Bureau 

of War Records.
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 10

TAG INTERVIEW

sion that we always have to focus on, but if 

you can’t get that message of what you want 

down to the person that’s got to accomplish 

it then you’re really leading nothing. 

CW4 Atwood: What are your expectations for those men and 

women in your command and 

what can they expect from you 

as their senior leader?

Maj. Gen. Haston: Well the first thing they 

can expect from me is my 100 percent support of them, in whatever it takes to get the 

job done. If I ask somebody to do something 

I’m going to give them everything that I have 

in resources at my disposal to see that they 

can accomplish the mission. Notice I said, 

“Everything that’s available.” Sometimes 

things are not available and we still have to 

do the mission. I encourage every Soldier 

and Airman to watch the mini-series “Band 

of Brothers”. While most of Easy Company 

of the 101st Airborne Division was on pass 

in France they were given new orders. With 

no winter clothes, no ammunition, no food, 

literally nothing, they were picked up in the 

middle of the night, taken to Belgium and 

told to surround and defend the city of Bastogne. With seven roads leading into and out 

of the city the Germans wanted it because 

it was essentially a “high-speed” avenue of 

approach. These men of the 101st Airborne 

did that with nothing. They had no medical 

supplies in the dead of winter in 1944, but 

they did their job. So sometimes we have to 

do our jobs even when we don’t have everything that we think we need. We can’t just 

throw our hands up and say, “Well, I can’t do 

it because I don’t have all the proper stuff ” 

but rather we have to improvise and adapt 

to the situation. But, if I have that resource 

available I will do everything in my power to 

see the Soldiers and Airman get that.

My expectations of the men and women of 

the Tennessee National Guard are high because I believe they are the best America has 

to offer. They are the best of the best! Less 

than one percent of our nation serves in uniform, so what does that say about our men 

and women who volunteer? We haven’t had 

a draft since 1973, so everyone here is a volunteer and I expect the best of them. We 

are a slice of society. We have good people 

who do some bad things sometimes and we 

have to deal with that. On the other hand, 

we have bad people that do good things and 

we have to deal with that also. So, I expect 

that dedication knowing that everybody’s 

level of enthusiasm and dedication to their 

unit is not the same. I do understand that, 

but I think they’re all patriots. And, as my 

Dad said, “patriotism is a little bit more than 

paying your taxes.” 

CW4 Atwood: When did you begin your career as a Citizen Soldier, what do you see as the two 

most challenging issues facing 

Guardsmen today, and are these 

just challenges, in your opinion, 

or opportunities?

Maj. Gen. Haston: Well, I can say that I started my career when I was probably two years 

old in the Guard. I shouldn’t say that—No, 

my Dad was in the Guard and I know I keep 

referring to that, but that had such an influence on my life. When I got promoted to 

Colonel I told someone about how much I 

looked forward to Annual Training, as opposed to Christmas like most kids. Reason 

being, Annual Training was the time each 

year my Dad brought home his TA-50 and I 

got to play with it—it was the highlight of my 

year. I was commissioned in 1979 and I left 

active duty at the end of 1983. I don’t know 

if anyone will actually go back and look at 

this but I actually raised my right hand while 

I was on transitional leave out of the active 

duty coming into the Guard. I came into 

the 3rd Squadron of the 278th ACR, and of 

course, being a cavalryman and an armor 

officer all my life, that was a great fit. I took 

command of the unit in Rockwood, Tennessee, which at the time was a tank company 

(Company M), and that’s where I began my 

Guard career. Now at that time I had a civilian job where I did accident reconstruction 

and insurance adjustment risk management 

for a Fortune 500 company but my true love 

was always the Guard. I worked my civilian 

job to allow me to be in the Guard. The area 

where I worked was the same location as my 

unit so it was very comfortable and allowed 

me to spend a lot of time with the National 

Guard. 

You asked about challenges—I think the 

greatest challenge that we have today as 

Guardsman after 13 years of war is to ensure 

that the Army—The Department of Defense—understands the value that they have 

in a National Guard Soldier. I think that’s 

the greatest challenge. I think our Guardsman have proven that but it’s getting those 

other entities to recognize it, which will 

ring true in this upcoming roles and comCommander Lt. Col. Stephen W. Jaco and Maj. Gen. Haston 

look over equipment in the 230th EN BN’s motor pool in 

Kuwait. (Photo Courtesy of 230th EN BN)
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 11

TAG INTERVIEW

missions that’s being formed up right now 

to be studied on what roles the Army and 

the Army Guard should play. The Air Force 

did it a year or two ago now, and they, based 

off of facts not opinions, said, “hey look, 

we can’t afford an Air Force as large as we 

once had with all the equipment, people, 

and mission sets.” Now the Army will have 

to go through that same discovery learning 

process and they’re going to find—if they’re 

truthful—the same answers. What I’m concerned about is that they’re not going to be 

truthful. I’m concerned there’ll be people 

on the commission who may not realize or 

recognize the commitment that the National Guard has made over the years. I think 

that is our greatest challenge. I don’t think 

it’s an opportunity. I think we’ve taken everything that we’ve done and we’ve been, 

as former Gen. Max Thurman said, “We’ve 

been all we can be.” We can be more and 

we can be a great asset to this country but 

we have to have people in the Department 

of Defense who recognize that. I think one 

of the greatest personal challenges we have 

today with our Guardsman is the time that 

they have to dedicate to the National Guard 

vs. the society that we live in today. We live 

in a society that’s absolutely inundated with 

other opportunities and challenges as a civilian--kids, family, church, school, other clubs 

and memberships, and then try to factor the 

Guard into that. The Guard truly becomes 

a way of life for our Guard families and we 

need to be accepting of that. In some cases it just doesn’t work out and a guy or girl 

just cannot fulfill their obligations based on 

these other challenges. But in the Guard you 

really have the opportunity to serve your 

state, country, and self.

CW4 Atwood: What have been 

some of the Tennessee National Guard’s greatest successes 

during your time, both pre-command and as commander? What 

are some of the enduring challenges, and how might they be 

overcome?

Maj. Gen. Haston: Well, I’ll start with the 

last part of that, first in that the enduring 

challenge is just what we spoke about earlier 

and it’s our ability to ensure that this country 

recognizes the value of the National Guard 

and to make sure that we are resourced and 

equipped the same as our active duty counterparts. I’ve lived through Bold Shift and 

Quick Silver and all those events where the 

Army really controlled the rheostat of readiness on the Guard based on resources. When 

they look at us and say, “Well, your National 

Guard unit isn’t ready”. The question is why 

is it not ready? The Army says, “You don’t 

have the right equipment; you’re not trained 

in the proper equipment; or, your Soldiers 

haven’t gotten the proper schooling.” And, 

I ask, “why haven’t we had all of that stuff?”, 

and the answer is because the Army hasn’t 

given it to us--be it in school seats or school 

dollars. You’ve given us equipment that got 

us by and then said, “You can’t take that 

piece of antiquated piece of equipment into 

a combat zone because we’ve got something 

better, faster, quicker, more expensive, and 

more lethal out there.” I take umbrage to 

that because we don’t control that, and so, 

I think that if the National Guard could get 

some more control over that aspect—and 

what I mean, is that when the Army fields 

a specific type of helicopter or tank—while 

they’re going through the purchasing and 

fielding of the equipment—that plan needs 

to include the National Guard. That way 

we’re all on the same map sheet, all on the 

same sheet of music so that when a Combatant Commander requests a specific type of 

unit, that unit shows up and we’re all trained 

at the same level, and we’re all equipped at 

the same level. To me, that is the greatest 

challenge that we face and I think we can 

overcome that today, given the fact that, the 

most expensive commodity that the military 

has is the individual Soldier. That’s an enduring--that’s a reoccurring cost beginning 

with service now and on into retirement. We 

have to insure that the training and equipment our Soldiers and Airmen have today is 

current so they can fill that “place in time” 

when the active duty is unavailable, and all 

at a tremendous cost savings to the American taxpayer. The cost of one active duty 

Soldier or Airman will pay for three Guardsman. I think that’s very important and we 

have to make sure that we get over that challenge. It has been a challenge since the day 

that I walked into the National Guard, and 

it’ll be a challenge the day that I walk out of 

here but I think we can never take our eye off 

that ball. Every Airman and Soldier in the 

National Guard has to understand and work 

toward that, and we do it through our Associations, through our readiness reporting, 

and through our unit assessment tools. We 

have to make sure we are the best we can be 

at any point in time—the most ready—and 

consistently evaluate ourselves to know how 

we can be better.

You also asked about the greatest successes 

during my career—we’ve had many of them 

here in the Tennessee National Guard. I’m 

very proud of the 278th Armored Cavalry 

Regiment. I had the opportunity to command that organization and take them to 

the National Training Center (NTC), and 

successfully engage the world class OPFOR 

out there. A bunch of country folks from 

Tennessee went out and outwitted them and 

that was very humbling. A lot of people that 

have since retired and some here today may 

not remember how devastating our rotation to the NTC was to the Army because 

it was right before we started making large 

deployments into a combat theater with 

“We can be 

more and we 

can be a great 

asset to this 

country but we 

have to have 

people in the 

Department 

of Defense 

who recognize 

that.”
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TAG INTERVIEW

“heavy metal”, and it showed the Army that 

a National Guard unit could come out there 

and compete with the best of the best and be 

successful. Now, were we successful at first? 

No, we went out and took our “licks in the 

mouth”, but we figured out what they were 

doing and we adapted—we overcame—we 

did to them what they were doing to us and 

it really made an impression at FORSCOM. 

In fact, they changed a lot of the rules because of what we did out there because the 

Army’s goal was to not let a unit deploy to 

the NTC and stand “toe to toe” with the OPFOR, but rather remain beaten and humble. 

And, the Regiment was successful in their 

next rotation as well.

The next thing that I’m very proud of is the 

deployments. You know, Tennessee has deployed over 29,000 Army and Air National Guardsmen. You know we’re the fourth 

largest deploying state in the nation. That 

says a whole lot for the Volunteer spirit and 

we don’t need to forget that. The 230th Sustainment Brigade shut the doors on Iraq—

they were at the K crossing when the war 

in Iraq ended the first time and they shut it 

down. Our folks ran Buca prison—the largest detention facility in Iraq at the time, run 

by our very own 168th MP Battalion, and 

Buca housed some of the “baddest” of bad 

guys. The 278th ACR went to Iraq in 2005-

06 and secured the Ala Province during the 

most volatile time of the Iraqi war with fewer casualties and instances because of their 

presence. That says a tremendous amount. 

Our aviators successfully flying missions in 

Afghanistan with “A” model Apaches prior 

to the Army’s decision not to allow them to 

fly in country for lack of modernization—so 

many things like that we have accomplished. 

There has not been a mission that the Department of Defense has asked the Tennessee National Guard to do that we didn’t do. 

I mean right after 9/11 we took an Artillery 

Battalion and transitioned them to MP’s literally overnight and sent them around the 

world to conduct security missions. They’ve 

been amazing and I could sit here and talk 

all day about successes. They’re not my successes but rather those of the men and women of the Tennessee National Guard and that 

Volunteer spirit that I spoke of earlier.

CW4 Atwood: Obviously, your 

day to day activities are focused on interaction with your 

staff and MACOM commanders. 

Most of the Soldiers and Airmen 

within the state do not get an 

opportunity to work as closely 

with you as the aforementioned 

leaders. With that in mind, are 

there any insights you can provide that might benefit everyone in your charge regardless of 

rank or position?

Maj. Gen. Haston: Well, everybody’s important. There’s an old poem: For the loss 

of a nail we lost a shoe; For the loss of a shoe 

we lost a horse; For the loss of a horse we 

lost a rider; For the loss of a rider we lost a 

battle; And, for the loss of a battle we lost 

the war. So, I think that every Soldier and 

Airman in the Tennessee National Guard is 

vitally important. All you have to do is be 

around here for a snow storm or something 

like that, when one individual cannot make 

it to work, or physically cannot get to a loMaj. Gen. Haston in his office at Joint Force Headquarters in Nashville. (Photo by Master Sgt. Robin Olsen)
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 13

TAG INTERVIEW

cation, and we’re expecting that “job” to be 

done from those who can and that person’s 

not there. It just shows how important everybody is from the person who puts paper 

in the copy machine to the person that pushes the radio button and gives commands and 

instructions to do something—everybody 

plays a role and everybody is important. I 

have never believed that analogy, or thought 

process, that says you can stick your finger 

in a glass of water and pull it out but not really see the difference. There is a difference; 

you just have to look hard at it, and regardless, you will be affected by that difference. 

Every person that God put on this earth and 

allowed to serve in the Tennessee National 

Guard makes a difference every day. When 

you’re shaving or putting on your make up 

in the morning don’t think that you don’t 

make a difference—because you do! Don’t 

let anybody tell you that you don’t, because 

you do! 

I interact with my commanders and staff, 

yes, that’s true, but I also interact with state 

government, which is--one of my greatest 

challenges is convincing state government 

that we are not “just” another agency. We are 

a dual status agency that is here when both 

good and bad things happen throughout the 

state and nation. People sometimes don’t 

want to recognize that particularly when it 

comes to budgets and resources. The tendency is to say, “oh, we don’t need you right 

now”, but then later say, “we need you, why 

are you not ready?” It’s kind of like juggling 

chainsaws that are running sometimes. But, 

everybody matters.

CW4 Atwood: As we’ve discussed before we cannot all 

wear this uniform forever. 

Knowing there is life after the 

Army how would you like to be 

remembered when your time arrives to hang up the uniform? 

Maj. Gen. Haston: That’s tough. You know, 

I think everyone wants to be remembered in 

a positive way. But, you won’t be due to the 

fact that doing your job as a leader constitutes making some people mad. Somebody’s 

not getting what they think they deserve. I 

piss somebody off every day, and it’s not my 

challenge to do that but it happens. It happens because of having to make the “right” 

decisions. And, I think how I would like to 

be remembered is that my focus was on taking care of the people to support the organization. There are none of us more important than the organization, yet each one of us 

is important as the organization. I want to 

be thought of in a way that people say, “he 

made a difference” and “he went out making a difference”. I’ve made a lot of changes 

in the Tennessee National Guard. In some 

cases the program was already in existence 

and in others I created new events. I started the Guard Your Buddy Program to help 

our service combat suicide. I’m working 

on bringing the Youth Challenge Program 

to Tennessee; moving the aviation squadron from Smyrna to Berry Field, as well as 

moving other MACOM’s and units around 

to different cities for the purpose of a higher 

state of readiness. Those types of decisions 

make people mad. Change is constant but 

people hate change; and so when they hate 

change it means they feel like they’re not 

getting something out of it. I can assure 

you that none of the changes or things that 

I wanted to do have been malicious toward 

any one individual—it’s not. It’s the fact 

that I want to make the Tennessee National 

Guard the absolute best it can be. And so, I 

want to look back in 20 years from now, if 

I’m still blessed to walk the face of this earth, 

and say that I started a program, or developed an idea, and it’s still ongoing—that 

there’s endurance and some lasting effect to 

that effort or idea. And then, I hope that I’ve 

raised leaders that are wild, or bohemian, 

enough to make changes in the same way 

that I have in my career. I say this because 

I think our greatest legacy is the influence 

we have on the people we’re bringing up to 

lead the organization. I say this a lot during 

speeches that I give sometimes and it comes 

from one of the greatest motivational posters that I’ve ever seen. It’s the one with the 

little boy standing on the beach looking out 

at the ocean, and the caption below reads, “a 

hundred years from now no one will know 

how much money was in your bank account, 

what kind of car you drove, or the house that 

you lived in, but what will be remembered is 

the difference you made in the life of a child.” 

And I think it’s the difference we made in the 

lives of our Soldiers and Airmen, and their 

families. 

Gov. Haslam (left) being briefed by Maj. Gen. 

Haston (center) and David Purkey, Director of 

TEMA (right) and. (Photo by CW4 Nick Atwood)
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 14

TULLAHOMA, Tenn. - Soldiers from 

Troop G, Regimental Support Squadron of 

the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment from 

Lewisburg and Shelbyville, Tenn., conducted field training exercises at Arnold Air 

Force Base in Tullahoma, Tenn., on February 6-8, 2015. 

 The event consisted of executing movement under direct fire, convoy lane drills, 

with casualty and medical evacuation tasks 

assisted by a Blackhawk helicopter provided 

from the 1st Squadron of the 230th Cavalry 

Regiment based in Smyrna, Tenn. 

 The Dismounted Soldier Training System 

(DSTS) is a new addition to the training area 

in Tullahoma. It is the first fully immersive 

virtual simulation training system for Soldiers. Troop G had the privilege to be the 

first Tennessee National Guard unit to use 

the system at this location. The DSTS puts 

the Soldiers in a virtual environment and allows numerous training scenarios to be conducted. The capabilities of the virtual system 

provide limitless opportunities for Soldiers 

to learn and enhance their critical mission 

tasks. 

 Troop G Soldiers gave the Blackhawk 

H I G H - T E C H T R A I N I N G 

Tenn. National Guard Soldiers from Troop G, Regimental Support Squadron of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment conduct a virtual simulation 

exercise on the Army Dismounted Soldier Training System (DSTS) in Tullahoma, Tenn. The DSTS creates a three dimensional computer simulated environment with enhanced realism to train Soldiers in numerous war 

and peacetime mission tasks. (Photo Courtesy of 278th ACR)

Tenn. National Guard 278th Armored Cavalry Troops Train 

in the Real and Virtual World for Success.

VIRTUAL TRAINING 

FOR THE CAVALRY
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 15

H I G H - T E C H T R A I N I N G 

pilot a specific medical evacuation landing 

location and vital patient data during the 

training. Soldiers were carried via litter and 

placed in a cargo area of the aircraft upon 

landing. The training simulated procedures 

to be conducted during medical emergencies encountered in war or peacetime. 

 Members also had the rare opportunity to fly over the training area. During this 

element of the exercise, medics from Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, Field Artillery Squadron of the 278th ACR in Winchester, Tenn., assisted Troop G in medevac 

procedures while completing their certification for required annual tasks.

 The primary goal of this training was to 

complete Army Warrior Tasks and strengthen unit cohesion. The morale, motivation, 

and determination displayed throughout 

the exercises provided a tremendous sense 

of accomplishment and readiness among 

the Troop. Training is, and will always be 

the most beneficial way to stay attentive 

and prepared for the future of our country. 

Troop G will continue to train to the highest 

standards and go above and beyond expectations. - SGT. KIRBY W. BANNISTER, 

JR., AND SGT. BENJAMIN M. HILTON

A Tennessee National Guard Blackhawk helicopter provided from the 1st 

Squadron of the 230th Cavalry Regiment assists members of Troop G, Regimental Support Squadron of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment in aerial 

medical evacuation training conducted at Arnold Air Force Base in Tullahoma, 

Tenn. (Photo Courtesy of 278th ACR)

A virtual three dimensional image is displayed inside The Dismounted Soldier 

Training System (DSTS) helmet worn by Soldiers to simulate numerous war 

and peacetime environments and scenarios to assist in training personnel 

they may encounter in their modern military missions. (Photo Courtesy of 

Intelligent Decisions, Inc., the developer of the DSTS for the U.S. Army.)
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 16

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Cpl. Robert A. Marshall, Company A, 72nd Tank Battalion, 2nd 

Infantry Division, was presented the Bronze 

Star with “V” device for valor on March 16, 

2015 by Maj. Gen. Max Haston, the adjutant 

general, acknowledging his selfless service 

in Korea In September 1951. 

 Marshall, who now resides in Knoxville, 

led a small group of Soldiers assigned to retrieve an abandoned American tank in a river near enemy lines.

 As Marshall waded through the river toward the abandoned tank, that was lodged 

against large rocks and partially submerged, 

he began receiving enemy automatic weapons fire and mortars began impacting all 

around him.

 Despite the hostile fire, he was able to 

reach and enter the tank and start it by 

reaching under water to access the controls. 

Knowing that the tank could easily overturn 

or become further lodged against the rocks, 

Marshall was able to put the tank in reverse, 

lock the brakes and let out the clutch causing the tank to lurch backwards dislodging 

it from the rocks.

 While still under heavy enemy fire, Marshall was able to extract the tank from the 

river and drive it to a friendly position. His 

quick thinking and gallant actions that day 

ensured the tank was not captured by enemy Soldiers and no friendly Soldiers were 

injured.

 “I am humbled to be a small part in this 

ceremony, recognizing one of our forgotten 

heroes of “America’s Forgotten War” in Korea. It is an honor and privilege for me to 

make this presentation,” said Haston.

 - LT. COL. (RET) NIKI GENTRY

VETERAN RECOGNITION

Maj. Gen. Max Haston, Tennessee’s adjutant general, presents 

Army Veteran Corporal Robert 

A. Marshall, the Bronze Star with 

“V” device for his heroic actions 

while under enemy fire near 

Kong-Dong, Korea, in September 1951. (Photo by MAJ (Ret) 

Randy Harris)

Cpl. Robert A. Marshall Receives Bronze Star with “V” Device Nearly 63 Years After Having Earned it.

KOREAN VET GETS 

BRONZE STAR
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 17

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - After a nine-month 

deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan, both 

the 1176th Transportation Company and 

105th Personnel Company were welcomed 

home with a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration 

Program (YRRP) event hosted at the downtown Nashville Maxwell House Hotel. 

 The YRRP is designed to provide local resources to National Guard and Reserve soldiers and their families before, during and 

after deployments by helping families reconnect with their Soldier, connecting them 

with information and care that can reduce 

stressors associated with long term separation, and outline the benefits each soldier 

earned as a result of their deployment. This 

is also an opportunity for the Tennessee National Guard to welcome their citizen-soldiers home.

 “You can’t hear this information enough 

throughout your career,” Capt. Daniel Isley, 1176th Transportation Company Commander said, “to be able to get this information into my Soldiers hands through this 

program is amazing.” 

 Attendees received marriage counseling 

and assessment information, Veterans Affairs information and enrollment assistance, 

education and training benefits, domestic 

violence awareness and prevention, suicide 

awareness and prevention, as well as vital 

health information on TBI and PTSD.

 The program first began in 2008 and has 

improved with every homecoming event. 

 “The level of support has grown exponentially as this program has come along each 

year”Isley said.

 Chief Warrant Officer Emily Wiest, Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Support Officer, feels these events have helped 

Soldiers connect with their local resources 

and provided opportunities with local employment for returning soldiers through the 

many vendors attending these events.

 Chief Warrant Officer Parry Hazen, Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Manager, has been working with the program for 

nearly two and a half years and feels the program is very beneficial to the troops and their 

families, in that it is able to bring resources 

to light that may have been unknown upon 

their return from deployment

 For more information on the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program and how your 

unit can become involved, contact Chief 

Warrant Officer Parry Hazen at 615-313-

0686 or parry.c.hazen.mil@mail.mil.

- SGT MATT YOUNG

Yellow Ribbon Program Welcomes Troops Home.

GAINING KNOWLEDGE 

AFTER DEPLOYMENT

Y E L L O W R I B B O N R E I N T E G R A T I O N 

Servicemembers of 1176th Transportation Company and 

105th Personnel Company attend their Yellow Ribbon 

Reintegration Program with their families, to gain valuable 

knowledge upon returning from a nine-moth deployment to 

Kandahar, Afghanistan. (Photo by SGT Matt Young)
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 18

OUR FEMALE

CHAPLAINS

tennessee national guard highlight:

Attaining the role of military 

chaplain has not always been an 

easy journey for women.

STORY BY MSGT ROBIN OLSEN & LT COL (RET) NIKI GENTRY 
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 19

OUR FEMALE CHAPLAINS

Reverend Dianna P. Bell, the first woman military chaplain, speaks about the accomplishments of 40 years of women in the military chaplaincy at the Women in Military 

Service For America Memorial, Arlington Nation Cemetery, Arlington, Va., March 4, 

2013. (Photo by Sgt. Jennifer C. Johnson)

Since the inception of the 

Women’s Army Corps in 

1943, women serving in the 

armed forces of the United States have demonstrated 

their dedication and sacrifice 

throughout the many wars 

and conflicts our nation has 

endured. 

 Whether flying sophisticated aircraft, sailing upon hostile seas or defending the lives 

of their fellow service members in combat 

zones, the role of women in the military is 

critical to achieve success in our global missions. Gaining new roles in our national defense structure has not always been an easy 

journey for women. Inequality based upon 

gender has often unfairly been a restrictive 

issue within critical military specialties.

 The military chaplaincy is but one area 

where female service members encountered 

difficulty gaining entry. Capt. Ella Gibson, 

famous for her service with the 1st Wisconsin Regiment of Heavy Artillery during the 

Civil War, is noted as the first female Chaplain in the U.S. military. The Secretary of 

War, Edwin Stanton, under President Lincoln, refused to recognize Gibson’s status 

because she was female; however, she was 

posthumously commissioned in the grade 

of Captain in the Chaplains Corps by the 

107th Congress, one hundred years after 

her death. It was not until 1973 that the U.S. 

Navy would become the first service to federally recognize a female military chaplain, 

Lt. j.g. Dianna Pohlman Bell. 

 “I may be the first to serve in this role, but 

I’m happy that I wasn’t the last. We aren’t finished and have many more challenges ahead 

of us,” said Rev. v. Pohlman Bell during a 

ceremony celebrating 40 years of women in 

the military chaplaincy on March 4, 2013, in 

Arlington, Va. “It’s the humanizing steps we 

take toward the future.”

 “We need to stick together for the future,” 

she added. “None of us can do this alone.”

 These two women, who served over a 

century apart, paved the way for hundreds 

of others to serve their country by breaking 

antiquated stigmas and ultimately gaining 

the ability to provide spiritual guidance to 

their comrades in arms.

 It would not be until 32 years later, in 

2005, that the Tennessee National Guard 

would finally welcome its first female chaplain, Capt. Ashley Bell (no relation). She was 

first a member of the Tennessee Air National 

Guard’s 118th Airlift Wing based in Nashville, Tenn., later transferring to the 164th 

Airlift Wing in Memphis before leaving the 

Guard in 2012.

 There are currently four female chaplains 

following in Capt. Bell’s footsteps serving in 

the Tennessee National Guard. Tennessee’s 

second female chaplain is Capt. Jennifer Pacheco, assigned to the Air National Guard’s 

118th Wing since August 2012; and its third, 

1st. Lt. Dianna Watkins-Dickerson, serving the 164th Airlift Wing since September 

2012.

 Pacheco decided to become a chaplain 

during a deployment to Kuwait in 2003 with 

the 265th Combat Communications Squadron, Maine Air National Guard. Then she 

was a Staff Sergeant serving as an information management specialist. 

 “I was actually thinking about getting 

out of the military, but while listening to a 

sermon there, I found a different career into 

which I could cross train,” she explained.

 “The role of a chaplain is vast, whether it 

is inside the Guard or in the community. We 

are the ministers; some of us pastor churches, whereas others work in hospitals or prisons,” she said.

 When not wearing the uniform, Capt. Pacheco serves as a full time chaplain resident 

at the James A. Haley VA Hospital in Tampa, Fla., where she has worked with military 

Veterans since September 2014.

 “An individual can come to you, at any 

time, pouring their heart out and in need of 

a chaplain,” Pacheco said. “It is a beautiful 

gift to be able to assist someone in their time 

of need and an honor to make history as one 

of the first female chaplains in the Tennessee 

National Guard.”

 The Tennessee Army National Guard 

added to the ranks of female chaplaincy in 

July 2013, with its first woman, Capt. Kyndalin Mooney. She is assigned to the Volunteer Training Site in Tullahoma, Tenn. More 

recently, its second female chaplain, Capt. 

Misti McCreary, began her service in July 

2014 with the 1-181st Field Artillery. 

 Mooney, and her husband, who serves in 

the Army Reserve decided to become chaplains together. 

 “After 20 years in the Army Reserve, both 

my husband and I were feeling the call to 

serve through chaplaincy. We actually were 

ready to retire and go into the mission field; 

however, we realized that the Army is a mission field, and after lots of consideration, we 

decided to embark on the journey to become 
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 20

chaplains,” she said.

 Prior to her chaplaincy, Mooney served 

26 years in the Army. She has been a medic, 

a bandsman, and a career counselor in the 

Army Reserve. 

 “While I enjoyed each of my previous 

assignments, they all pale in comparison to 

being an Army chaplain,” she explained. “It 

is an incredible honor to serve as a chaplain 

and serve my fellow Soldiers.”

 After all of her time in the Reserve, she 

already has many fond memories in the Tennessee National Guard. 

 “My first year in the Tennessee Guard 

provided me the opportunity to perform the 

wedding of our readiness NCO, Sgt. 1st Class 

Nancy Crosson; the baptism of the Commander of the Headquarters, Headquarters 

Detachment, 30th Troop Command, Capt. 

John Ballantyne; and the memorial service 

for the father of Sgt. 1st Class Cindy White. I 

was promoted the first year as well,” she said.

 “The support that I have received over the 

past two years has been outstanding. Chaplains John Toby and Mark Phillips have welcomed me with open arms and have given 

me all of the tools that I need to be successful,” she said. Col. (Chaplain) Toby serves as 

the State Chaplain and Maj. (Chaplain) Phillips is a full-time chaplain at the Tennessee 

National Guard Joint Force Headquarters.

 In addition to serving the Soldiers of the 

Tennessee Army National Guard, Mooney is 

also a high school physics instructor, as well 

as coach for volleyball, track and cheerleading at Middle College High School in Memphis, Tenn. One of her daughters is a member of the Arkansas National Guard and is 

currently in training to be a physician’s assistant. Her son is scheduled to graduate from 

the University of Arkansas later this year 

and plans to commission into the National 

Guard through the university’s ROTC program. 

 “My eldest daughter was in the National 

Guard band with her husband. Now, he is 

an attorney and attending Officer Candidate 

School in Smyrna, Tenn. My youngest son, 

only 15, plans on eventually joining the service as well. Military service is a big part of 

who we are as a family!” she exclaimed.

 McCreary, who grew up in Friendsville, 

Tenn., initially joined the Kentucky National 

Guard in 2009 to participate in the Chaplain 

Candidate Program. She earned two Master’s degrees while studying at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky.; a Master 

of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Pastoral 

Counseling.

 She transferred back to her home state to 

pursue placement as a pastor in Tennessee, and Chaplain Toby administered her 

oath of office on March 6, 2014. 

 “It is a real honor to be able to walk with 

our Soldiers through the highs and lows 

of life both in the Army and in the civilian 

world. These are hardworking people and 

it’s a privilege to serve them,” McCreary 

responded when asked her why she decided to become a chaplain. “Every generation of my family has served in the United 

States military all the way back to the Revolutionary War. I’m proud to be part of that 

tradition as well.”

 McCreary stated her fondest memory of 

serving as a chaplain was when she, “met a 

Soldier who checked off every box for PTSD 

but was still undiagnosed. We talked and I 

was able to convince him to seek help. It took 

some time but he’s able to work again, to see 

the good in life, and really have a functional 

and productive life. That, and the memories 

like it, are the greatest reward a Chaplain can 

receive. We don’t get ribbons for those moments but we certainly feel them.”

 “We are a strength multiplier for our Soldiers, even when we aren’t in drill status. 

Our Soldiers know that we are available to 

chat and that we offer full confidentiality so 

that they feel safe bringing their issues to 

us,” said McCreary. “We are there primarily 

to protect their freedom of religion, but also 

to monitor and boost morale. We honor 

the dead, care for the wounded, and nurture 

the living in a way that boosts their mental, 

emotional, and spiritual health.”

 In addition to her role as a military chaplain, McCreary is busy in her civilian life as 

a full-time pastor to two small churches in 

eastern Tennessee.

 As Lt. j.g. Pohlman Bell said in 2013, “Every woman who goes into military chaplaincy is a pioneer in her own right by choosing 

to enter into and serve within a male-dominated profession and organization.”

Chaplain (Col.) John Mark Toby, State 

Chaplain for the Tennessee National 

Guard, administers the oath of office to 

1st Lt. Misti McCreary in Frankfort, Ky., 

March 6, 2014. McCreary, formerly 

with the Kentucky Guard, transferred 

to her home state to pursue placement 

as a pastor in Tennessee. (Photo provided by Kentucky National Guard)

Capt. Kyndalin Mooney (Center)

OUR FEMALE CHAPLAINS
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 21

JAMES F. GAMBLE AWARD

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Executive Director of the National Guard Association of Tennessee, retired Army Col. Larry McKnight 

recently received the Col. James F. Gamble 

Award at the 2015 National Guard Executive 

Directors Association Annual Meeting held 

at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. 

 The prestigious award was established 

in 1991 to recognize an individual who has 

demonstrated exemplary performance and 

dedication in support of the Guard Association member states and their activities.

 “I am humbled and honored,” said Col. 

McKnight upon acceptance of the award 

from retired Lt. Col. Kenneth E. Moix, the 

Executive Director of the National Guard 

Association of Arkansas and the President 

of the National Guard Executive Directors 

Association (NGEDA). The Col. Gamble 

Award is the highest accolade that can be 

given to a state Executive Director for their 

dedication and service.

 Col. McKnight became the Guard Association’s Executive Director in Tennessee on 

May 1, 2006. He was elected to the Executive Committee of the NGEDA in 2007 and 

served as the President of the Association 

until 2011 when he was awarded the President’s Award honoring his successful four 

year term. 

 Col. McKnight has been acknowledged by 

his peers as a person they could turn to for 

advice and counsel throughout his tenure. 

He served as a mentor to many new Executive Directors and gave generously his time 

and talents to enhance the overall organization. Throughout his tenure, Tennessee has 

maintained its status as a 100 percent membership state and recognized as one of the 

strongest supporters of the National Guard 

Association of the United States. 

- LT. COL. (RET) NIKI GENTRY

Retired Tennessee Army Guard Col. Larry McKnight 

Receives the 2015 Col. James F. Gamble Award.

NGAT DIRECTOR 

RECEIVES AWARD

Tennessee National 

Guard retired Col. Larry 

McKnight accepts the 

2015 Col. James F. Gamble Award from retired Lt. 

Col. Kenneth E. Moix, the 

President of the National 

Guard Executive Directors Association on January 24. The Col. Gamble 

Award is the highest 

accolade that can be 

given to a state National 

Guard Association Executive Director for their 

exemplary performance 

and dedication in support 

of the Guard Association 

member states and their 

activities. (Photo courtesy of the NGAUS staff)
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 22

118TH WING - NASHVILLE

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Eighteen Airmen 

assigned to the 118th Wing in Nashville received their professional military education 

at home station through the use of satellite 

technology in January 2015. Previously, the 

Airman Leadership School course was only 

available by attending one of the five-week 

in residence courses offered at only a handful of locations nationwide, or by completing a correspondence course that required 

months of studying to pass an online exam.

 The course broadcasts through the Air 

National Guard’s Warrior Network Satellite 

system and originates from McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville, 

Tenn., where the instructors are located.

 Airman Leadership School is the first 

PME that enlisted members of the Air Force 

encounter and it focuses on developing leadership abilities and building effective communication skills in Airmen, and is required 

to achieve the rank of Staff Sergeant. The 

ALS course accelerates qualified Airman 

through disciplined training that includes 

open-ranks inspections, local instruction 

from Tennessee Air National Guard facilitators at the 118th Wing in Nashville and 

Airmen from the 118th Wing in Nashville use satellite technology to further their military education. 

EDUCATION VIA 

SATELLITE

Members of the 118th Wing in Nashville 

attend the first satellite course available in 

Tennessee. (Photo by 118th Wing)
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 23

118TH WING - NASHVILLE

Professional Military Education instructors 

from McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard 

Base in via satellite in a two-way, audio and 

video interactive format. 

 McGhee-Tyson is one of only locations 

across the country that offers the course in 

residence for all members of the Air Force, 

Active Duty, Reserve and Guard. Even 

though it is only a few hours away, few slots 

are available each year for Air National 

Guardsmen from around the country to attend the full course there.

 “The satellite program helps to alleviate 

the lack of available seats at the in residence 

courses offered around the country,” said 

Chief Master Sgt. Mark Harris, Command 

Chief for the 118th Wing. 

 Often, National Guard members take the 

course via correspondence rather than attending one of the course facilities due to the 

lack of available slots for Guard members. 

“This is the answer to the ALS issue and 

Nashville was fortunate to secure this opportunity,” Harris added. More ALS courses 

will be instructed this way in the future at 

the Nashville base, at least four each year.

 While the Air National Guard has been 

utilizing this program for over a year now, 

this is the first satellite course available in 

Tennessee. Initially, when the Wing was approved to enter the satellite ALS program, 

five Airmen from the Wing were selected to 

participate as course facilitators. They had 

to attend a two-week certification course at 

Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas this 

past September.

 To complete phase one of the program, 

the course must be taught twice a year for 

five consecutive weekends. After completing 

these five weeks, the Airmen then attended 

a two-week in residence course in Gulfport, 

Miss., to complete the course.

 Chief Master Sgt. James Despain serves 

as the Lead Facilitator for the course. “This 

position acts as the course coordinator with 

National Guard Bureau and the Base Education and Training Manager at the 118th, 

schedules course classes, and manages the 

program,” said Harris.

 Along with satellite learning, five instructors from the local unit were assigned to the 

class to facilitate activities. Staff Sgt. Rachel 

Kurilko was on the facilitators. “We serve as 

a link between the students at the unit level and the instructors at the schoolhouse in 

Knoxville,” she said. “About once an hour, 

we would turn to the Knoxville facilitators 

for a local discussion on a particular topic.”

 Each instructor taught at least one block 

per day. This year, 2015, marks the first time 

this method of instruction was used in Tennessee.

 “Hopefully, I can get into a satellite NCO 

course within the next year an experience it 

myself,” said Kurilko. “The instructors had a 

blast, and I know the students did as well.”

- MSGT ROBIN OLSEN

GULFPORT, Miss. - Tech. Sgt. 

Joshua Hatcher, instructor for the 

Paul H. Lankford Enlisted PME 

Center, teaches a lesson here Feb. 

9, 2015, during Airman leadership 

school for satellite students at the 

Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center. Hatcher and other instructors from the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center traveled 

here to graduate 56 students from 

satellite ALS. (Photo by Master Sgt. 

Matt Schwartz)

“The satellite program helps to alleviate the lack of 

available seats at 

the in residence 

courses offered 

around the country,”
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 24

STORM RESPONSE

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Late on Presidents 

Day 2015, 19 members of the Tennessee 

Army National Guard’s 194th Engineer Brigade, equipped with High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs), 

were called out to perform health and wellness checks on motorists in response to rapidly deteriorating road conditions on two 

major interstates. 

 That was two weeks ago, and today, Tennessee Army and Air Guard personnel are 

still at work aiding state and local responders in efforts to recover from a severe winter storm that swept across the state in two 

waves. The storm left roadways treacherous, 

knocked out power to tens of thousands, 

and ultimately required Gov. Bill Haslam 

to elevate Tennessee to a Level II-State of 

Emergency.

 The initial order from the department also 

directed units to be prepared to perform 

additional house-to-house welfare checks, 

provide trucks and crews to assist with debris removal, and man chainsaws to assist in 

clearing roads should the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency make a request.

 “We had crews positioned in Jackson and 

Paris west of Nashville and Knoxville and 

Mount Carmel in the east--virtually everywhere in between,” said Lt. Col. Joe Spivey, 

Military Support Officer.

 As winter precipitation moved across the 

state in February leaving behind extremely cold temperatures, Military Department 

officials increased the number of personnel available to 34 as members of the 278th 

Armored Cavalry Regiment equipped with 

17 HMMWVs stood ready to augment the 

ongoing missions. In addition, two UH60 Blackhawk helicopters from the Army 

Guard’s 1/230th Air Cavalry Squadron, were 

placed on standby to assist with aerial reconnaissance of the hardest hit areas.

 In hindsight, Feb. 18 and 19, although 

extremely cold, would represent a pause in 

the storm as road conditions improved and 

the number of residents without power decreased. By Feb. 20, however, the National 

Weather Service predictions of another system moving through the region were already 

beginning to materialize resulting in the issuance of a Winter Storm Warning.

 On Feb. 21, eight personnel from Detachment 1, 777th Maintenance Company were 

Tenn. Guard Surveys Winter Storm Damage Response. 

WINTER STORM

Soldiers from the 278th Armored 

Cavalry Regiment clear broken 

limbs from a roadway in Cumberland 

County, Tenn. on February 21, 2015. 

.(Photo by CW4 Nick Atwood)
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 25

STORM RESPONSE

ordered to duty as the Sparta armory was 

opened to serve as a storm shelter for those 

without power in White County.

 “My first count after we began accepting 

residents was exactly 80 people,” said Sgt. 

Geovani Mariscal, administrative and supply NCO for Detachment 1, 777th Maintenance Company.

 The number of residents at the armory 

would fluctuate in the coming days finally stabilizing at more than 30 individuals 

displaced and receiving shelter due to the 

storm. By mid afternoon on Saturday, Guard 

officials ordered four additional personnel 

and two HMMWVs to again provide wellness checks in White county with another 

six personnel and three HMMWVs preparing to deploy.

 On Feb. 21, 12 personnel and six HMMWVs from the 278th ACR were called 

out to support TEMA ground operations in 

Cumberland, Fentress, and Putnam counties. By day’s end the 278th would form two 

debris clearance teams of 10 personnel each 

in support of road clearance procedures in 

Putnam and Overton counties. These teams 

consisted of three chainsaw operators and 

seven members to remove debris from roadways.

 “I don’t believe I’ve seen damage this extensive as a result of a winter storm, or any 

storm for that matter, my entire life,” stated 

Maj. Colby Tippens, a native of Cookeville 

who also serves as the Operations Officer for 

the second squadron of the 278th ACR.

 His Soldiers make up the bulk of debris 

clearance teams operating on the Cumberland Plateau.

 “The residents here are so thankful for 

the support we’ve provided and my crews 

are highly motivated because they can see 

the difference they’re making for their fellow 

citizens during this time of disaster” said 

Tippens.

 Governor Bill Haslam toured the hardest 

hit areas along the Cumberland Plateau on 

Tuesday, February 24th, in an Army National Guard Blackhawk. He landed in Crossville 

and met with County and City Mayors and 

Emergency Response personnel. Governor Haslam assured them that departments 

throughout the state were working diligently 

with local responders to lessen the impact of 

this severe winter storm.

 The Tennessee National Guard continued support on March 2nd, providing 12 

military dump trucks with crews from both 

the Army and Air Guard to assist in debris 

removal in Fentress, Putnam, Cumberland 

and Overton Counties.

 “This storm was for real and took all 

emergency assets available! We are a major 

tool in the Governor’s toolbox in time of 

crisis and have assets to combine with other 

state agencies to mitigate risk to human lives 

and property damage. The National Guard is 

a multi-talented agency that can respond to 

any situation. Over 400 Soldiers and Airmen 

are to be commended for their efforts in response to this devastating winter storm,” 

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

- CW4 NICK ATWOOD

Maj. Colby Tippens delivers a can of kerosene 

to a family in need in Monterey, Tenn. (Photo by 

CW4 Nick Atwood)

A portion of I-40 was closed and many remained 

without power in in eastern Putnam County.

(Photo by Putnam County EMA)
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 26

SMYRNA, Tenn. - A first for the Tennessee 

National Guard, two Soldiers were wed on a 

whim in front of a military formation March 

14 at the Volunteer Training Site in Smyrna, 

Tenn. 

 Pfc. Daniel Dreaden, who had just recently completed his Army advanced individual training (AIT) and was only at his fourth 

drill with the Tennessee National Guard, 

married his wife, Pvt. Jessie Moore, during 

his unit’s formation this past Saturday. 

 Dreaden is assigned to Troop G, 1-230th 

Air Cavalry Regiment, and Moore to the 

777th Maintenance Company, both located 

in Smyrna, Tenn. 

 The couple were looking for a pastor to 

officiate their wedding in October, when 

they came across Chaplain (Capt.) Howard 

Avery, who would perform the impromptu 

ceremony. 

 “We were looking for a chaplain for our 

wedding and he said he was able to do it that 

day,” said Moore. “It was a big surprise for 

everyone.” 

 “He needed witnesses, so we opted for 

formation,” Dreaden said. Since he had to 

be in formation that afternoon, he contacted 

his soon to be wife and asked her to come to 

be wed in front of his unit, and she agreed. 

 “What better witness than a 1-230th Air 

Cavalry formation!” said Avery, who performs about five or six wedding ceremonies 

each year on average. He added, “conducting one in front of a formation was a first 

for me.” 

 “The chaplain walked up to the formation 

and announced that we were going to have 

a wedding today,” said Dreaden. “He called 

my name and my best men to come out of 

Tenn. Soldiers Hold Impromptu Wedding In Formation.

SOLDIER WEDDING 

IN FORMATION

IMPROMPTU WEDDING

Pvt. Jessie Moore and Pfc. Daniel Dreaden, both with the Tennessee Army National 

Guard, pose together after getting married in front of Dreaden’s military formation 

March 14 in Smyrna, Tenn. (Photo provided by Troop G, 1-230th Air Cavalry Regiment.)
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 27

IMPROMPTU WEDDING

formation and began.” 

 “Spc. De Andre Bell wanted to be the best 

man, but he was holding the paperwork, 

so Staff Sgt. Christopher Kain was it,” said 

Dreaden. 

 “I asked if anyone had just cause why 

these two Soldiers should not be joined together and nobody spoke, so that’s a good 

sign,” Avery joked. 

 The couple still plans to hold an official 

wedding ceremony in October for their family friends and they are hoping Chaplain Avery will be available for the service. 

 The couple not only married in an unconventional way, they met in an unusual way as 

well. Moore resided in Florida and Dreaden 

in Tennessee. They were originally introduced via the video game “Left for Dead.” 

 “We were in the same online clan,” said 

Moore. 

 “At first, she didn’t like inviting me to 

play with the group because I was so bad at 

the game,” recalled Dreaden. But, after four 

years of playing together online, they finally decided to meet. “I was always fascinated 

with her,” he said. “It was love at first sight!” 

 After meeting face-to-face, they dated 

for just over a year, traveling back and forth 

between Florida and Tennessee to see each 

other. 

 Video games weren’t the only thing the 

two had in common. The couple also bonded over the military. Moore has two brothers 

in the Florida National Guard, and her father and grandfather were also in the military. Dreaden has several military family 

members also. 

 The couple even decided to join the Army 

National Guard together, attending basic 

training and AIT only weeks apart from 

each other. 

 “We were supposed to go 

through basic together, but 

we got different location and 

different dates,” explained 

Dreaden. “But we still got 

to see each other at AIT, although she started a couple 

weeks before I did.” 

 It was at AIT, on September 6, 2014, that Dreaden 

popped the question. 

 “He seemed like he had 

been having a rough day so 

I went over to talk to him,” 

said Moore. “He was pacing 

around.” 

 “I told her I had a surprise 

for her and asked if she knew 

what it was,” said Dreaden. 

“She said she had an idea, 

then I asked her if she wanted it 

now, knowing what it was, and 

she said yes.”

 “She didn’t really think I 

would do it, so after I initially 

proposed, she said she had to 

put it on pause for right now, it 

was too much,” he said. 

 “In the following weeks, I caught a glimpse 

of a picture of us that she kept in her wallet. 

There was writing on the back, but I didn’t 

know what it was,” he recalled.

 “She later told me she had planned that 

to happen. While at a restaurant, she let me 

look at the back of the picture,” he said. “On 

the back it said ‘It’s always been yes’ and was 

dated shortly after I proposed. She said she 

had been waiting for a good time.” Moore 

moved to Tennessee in October after their 

training was completed. 

 In the Guard, they are putting their video 

game knowledge to good use; both serve as 

radio and communications security repairers, and both are sharpshooters in the National Guard. 

 “The military has always meant a lot to 

me. I’m glad that we got to do this,” said 

Moore regarding the marriage in front of 

formation. 

 “We train together, fight together and go 

through tough losses together. I feel this was 

the perfect crowd to witness and celebrate 

their union as they start their lift together,” 

said Avery.

- MSGT ROBIN OLSEN

Chaplain (Capt.) Howard Avery (right), Troop G, 

1-230th Air Cavalry Regiment, performs the official ceremony during the unit’s evening formation 

March 14 at the Volunteer Training Site in Smyrna, Tenn. (Photo provided by Troop G, 1-230th 

Air Cavalry Regiment.)

“I asked if anyone had just cause 

why these two Soldiers should not be 

joined together and nobody spoke, 

so that’s a good sign,” Avery joked. 
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 28

TULLAHOMA, Tenn. - The Headquarters 

and Headquarters Detachment of the Tennessee National Guard’s 30th Troop Command, based in Tullahoma, Tenn., welcomed 

1st Sgt. Kenneth Latham as the new unit first 

sergeant during a formal change of responsibility ceremony conducted Feb. 8, 2015.

 “I am honored and humbled by the opportunity,” said Latham, who also serves as 

supervisor of the Tennessee National Guard 

Joint Operations Center in Nashville, Tenn. 

Before joining the Guard, he served with the 

active duty Army, and has a total of 24 years 

of service. 

 Latham became the senior non-commissioned officer through the tradition of passing the unit guidon, which he received from 

outgoing 1st Sgt. Greg Sawyer, who had 

been the unit’s first sergeant since August 

2013. Sawyer now serves as the non-commissioned officer in charge of the active 

Guard and Reserve section at the Tennessee 

National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters 

in Nashville, Tenn. 

 The change of responsibility is a simple 

traditional event that is rich with symbolism and heritage. Key to the ceremony is 

the changing of position of responsibility 

between the outgoing and incoming first 

sergeants. The unit first sergeant is the custodian of the unit guidon and as such, he is 

the senior enlisted advisor in the unit and 

the principal advisor to the commander on 

all facets of the unit’s operations. 

 Throughout history, leaders used a banner 

or other symbols to identify themselves and 

used them as a rallying point for their warriors. For the modern day Soldier, the unit’s 

guidon symbolizes the unit’s history, its glories, its battle, and its campaigns. 

- SGT SARAH HOLT

1st Sgt. Kenneth Latham Welcomed as New First Sergeant.

TULLAHOMA UNIT 

RECEIVES NEW 1SG

Outgoing first sergeant, 

1st. Sgt. Greg Sawyer 

(second from left), hands 

the Headquarters and 

Headquarters Detachment, 30th Troop Command, Tennessee Army 

National Guard, guidon 

to Command Sgt. Maj. 

Greg Turner during a 

formal change of responsibility for the unit, held 

Feb. 8, 2015. Sawyer 

relinquished his position 

as the unit’s first sergeant 

to incoming 1st Sgt. Kenneth Latham (right) while 

Sgt. 1st Class Ronald 

Cannon (left) the unit’s 

guidon bearer, oversees 

the traditional exchange. 

(Photo by SGT Sarah 

Holt)

30TH TROOP COMMAND
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 29

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Approximately 15 members of the Tennessee Air National Guard’s 

164th Airlift Wing Mission Support Group, 

out of Memphis, Tenn., volunteered their 

time at St. Jude’s Ronald McDonald House, 

serving breakfast to more than 80 families 

and patients on December 21, 2014. Ronald 

McDonald House is a no cost residence for 

St. Jude patients and their families. 

 The Guard members prepared breakfast 

in the 164th AW’s dining facility and the 

Ronald McDonald House kitchen. Normally, family members are allowed to prepare 

meals from donated food from the local 

community. 

 “The Guard members also interacted 

with the families and patients, learning 

about their treatments and telling them 

about the Air National Guard,” said 

Col. John Trautman, commander of the 

164th AW Mission Support Group. “Our 

members are doing great things and giving back to the community.”

 Leftover food items were donated 

to Ronald McDonald House, and hot 

breakfast items were donated to the 

Union Mission for the homeless. 

- MSGT ROBIN OLSEN

164th Mission Support Group works with Ronald McDonald 

House to serve breakfast to families in need.

RONALD MCDONALD 

HOUSE BREAKFAST 

164TH MISSION SUPPORT GROUP

(Left to right) Staff Sgt. Troy Pollock, Staff Sgt. Tim Andrassy, Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth 

von Allmen, Staff Sgt. Robert Morgan, Tech. Sgt. Al Wilson, Tech. Sgt. Nathaniel von 

Allmen, Staff Sgt. Vanessa Nickles, Senior Airmen Terrance Jones, Airman 1st Class 

John Oliver, Master Sgt. Vanilla Nixon, Tech. Sgt. Sherveta Campbell, Staff Sgt. 

Shane Howell, and Tech. Sgt. Melissa Scott. (Photo by 164th Airlift Wing)

Staff Sgt. Robert Morgan, left, and Tech. 

Sgt. Nathaniel von Allmen at the St. Jude’s Ronald McDonald House in Memphis 

on December 21, 2014. (Photo by 164th 

Airlift Wing)
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 30

BRIG. GEN. 

HARRY D.

MONTGOMERY

*

BY: LT COL (RET) NIKI GENTRY PHOTOGRAPH BY: MSGT ROBIN OLSEN

The Tennessee Military Department congratulates Brig. Gen. Harry Montgomery, Jr., the Chief of Staff, Tennessee 

Air National Guard and his family upon the occasion of his retirement in January 2015. Brig. Gen. Montgomery 

enlisted in the U.S. Navy in June 1974. He served aboard the USS Independence and the USS Eisenhower as a helicopter aircrew member. In 1978, he joined the Tennessee Army National Guard as a helicopter crew chief assigned 

to the 278th Armored Calvary Regiment. Montgomery graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1981 and 

joined the 134th Air Refueling Group in Knoxvill, Tenn. He completed the ANG Academy of Military Science, and 

was commissioned in 1982.

He was selected to attend Undergraduate Pilot Training and received his wings at Williams Air Force Base, Ariz., in 

1983. Brig. Gen. Montgomery served in the 134th AREFG as a KC-135 pilot and transferred in 1989 to the 164th 

Tactical Airlift Group in Memphis, Tenn., where he flew the C-130, C-141 and C-5 aircraft, culminating over 8,000 

flight hours during his career. In 2006, he became Commander of the 164th Airlift Wing until his promotion as the 

Tennessee Air National Guard Chief of Staff in 2011.

The Military Department expresses tremendous gratitude for his leadership and selfless dedication to the Airmen 

and Soldiers of the great state of Tennessee. 
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 31

BRIG. GEN. 

TOMMY

BAKER

*

BY: LT COL (RET) NIKI GENTRY PHOTOGRAPH BY: SSG MATHIEU PERRY

The Tennessee Military Department congratulates Brig. Gen. Tommy H. Baker, along with his family, in recognition 

of his promotion and appointment as the Assistant Adjutant General-Army. Baker is responsible for the training 

and supervision of the more than 13,000 Soldiers in the Tennessee Army National Guard.

Brig. Gen. Baker has served as a Cavalry and Armor Officer, Maintenance and Logistics Officer and in various command and staff assignments within the Tennessee Army National Guard. Most recently, he served as the J-4 for Joint 

Force Headquarters-Tennessee, and was responsible for the Logistics and Maintenance operations for the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard.

He deployed to Kuwait in 2004 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom III, serving as the Theater Combat Service 

Support Automation Management Officer, and again in 2008 as the Commander of the 30th Combat Sustainment 

Support Battalion at Q-West, Iraq.

His awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Global War 

on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Brig. Gen. Baker is married to Camille Arnold Baker and they have two children, Hillari and Cody.
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 32

BRIG. GEN. 

THOMAS J.

KENNETT

*

BY: LT COL (RET) NIKI GENTRY PHOTO PROVIDED BY: 164TH AIRLIFT WING

Members of the Tennessee Military Department congratulate Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Kennett on his recent promotion and appointment as the Chief of Staff-Air for the Tennessee Joint Force Headquarters. He plans and formulates executive support functions for the Adjutant General and Assistant Adjutant General-Air on all ANG issues 

and represents the Tennessee National Guard in their absence. He provides oversight to the three ANG flying 

Wings and three non-flying units comprised of over 1,000 full-time and over 3,400 part time personnel. Brig. Gen. 

Kennett directs and implements the policies of senior USAF, ANG, and State leadership, conveying command intent to the field. 

Before his appointment as the Chief of Staff-Air, Kennett served as the Vice Wing Commander for the 164th Airlift Wing in Memphis, Tenn.

He received his commission in January 1987 as a graduate of the Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force 

Base, Texas, and received his pilot training from Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, in December 1987. He is a command pilot with over 5,000 flying hours in: T-38, KC-135A, KC-135R, KC-135RT, C-17, C-5, C-141, MD-11 and 

Boeing 727 aircraft.

Brig. Gen. Kennett received his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Arkansas State University in 1985 and a 

Master of Arts in Computer Information Management from Webster University in 1995. 

He is married to Penny Dawson Kennett and they have two sons, Thomas and Chris.
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 33
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 34
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 35

We would like to express our sincere condolences to the friends and the family members of Col. Martin Basham, 

the commander of the 230th Digital Liaison Detachment based in Memphis, Tenn. Col. Basham, of Jacksonville, 

Fla., died unexpectedly after a brief illness on February 10, at Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville, 

Fla. Basham was on his way home after completing a National Guard drill weekend when he became ill. He served 

as the commander of the 230th DLD since 2013.

Basham served in many capacities throughout his career, to include commands at both the battery and battalion 

levels. He served two tours of duty supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and one in support of Operation New 

Dawn. In his 40 years of service Basham received numerous awards to include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star 

(third award), Meritorious Service Medal (third award), Army Commendation Medal (second award), Army 

Achievement Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with three campaign stars, the Tennessee Distinguished Service 

Medal, the Tennessee War Service ribbon (third award), and other various awards.

Basham leaves behind his wife of 35 years, Inez Basham; five sons, his mother, five brothers and several nieces and 

nephews. He also has family in Whitwell, Tenn., and the surrounding area. He will be greatly missed by the many 

Soldiers he has served with in his long and distinguished career. 

“Col. Basham was a Soldier’s Soldier, he never forgot what it was like to come up through the ranks. 

He understood their perspective and what they needed.“

Col. John G. Krenson, Commander of 30th Troop Command 

IN MEMORIAM

COLONEL MARTIN BASHAM
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.15 | ISSUE 2 36

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