Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  News Features
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Tennessee Guardsman uses medic skills during COVID mission By Sgt. Finis Dailey,
                Tennessee National Guard Public Affairs Office
 CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Spc. Alexander Smith, a combat medic with Smyrna’s 230th Sustainment Brigade, was pursuing his degree in history from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga when COVID-19 was discovered in Tennessee. “With the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the state, I knew that my training as a combat medic would be an asset to the National Guard’s mission to combat the pandemic,” said Smith. “Even though I knew that I would have to put my studies on hold, I wanted to be part of the solution.” Smith postponed his education and volunteered for duty. He joined the Tennessee National Guard’s COVID-19 mission in March 2020 and was assigned to the Harden County testing site in the western part of the state. He used his combat medic training to administer tests for the COVID-19 virus. Smith completed his tour in June 2020 and re-enrolled at UTC. However, in December, Tennessee started administering the COVID-19 vaccine and Smith was still interested in serving. Because his classes were now virtual, he volunteered to participate a second time while continuing to pursue his degree. Smith rejoined the COVID-19 mission in February. He was assigned to the Bradley County Department of Health in his hometown of Cleveland. He provided administrative support there by controlling the flow of traffic at the site, confirming the information for people receiving the vaccines and monitoring vaccine recipients for potential allergic reactions. After receiving training from the health department, Smith began administering COVID-19 vaccinations at the site. He has administered several hundred vaccinations. “The large number of people getting vaccinated made the importance of the Tennessee National Guard’s mission that much more visible,” said Smith. “Participating in the COVID-19 mission allowed me to be a part of the solution. It was nice to see my actions make a difference.”
 SHARE
 PRINT
 How the National Guard is helping
  Photos of the National Guard response
  Guidance from the CDC
  U.S. response
  White House-CDC response
 Tennessee National Guard
 COVID-19
 Guard General Retires After Final Watch at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier News Features • 9 hours ago
 Young Cancer Patient Made Honorary 1st Sergeant in Illinois Guard News Features • 19 hours ago
 80 Years Ago, National Guard Units Played Key Role in D-Day Landings News Features • 6 days ago
 Retiring Illinois Guard Artillery Gun Chief Fires Final Rounds News Features • 11 days ago
 Hawaii Guardsman Finds Success in Aviation, Infantry Journey News Features • 11 days ago
 2024 (45)  2023 (107)  2022 (121)  2021 (119)  2020 (203)  2019 (208)  2018 (165)  2017 (164)  2016 (109)  2015 (52)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil