CW5 Thomas “Gary” Ensminger was appointed the Command Chief Warrant Officer for the Tennessee Army National Guard on 25 Aug 2008.  Prior to his appointment, CW5 Ensminger served as the Training Manager in the Aviation Branch of the Joint Forces Headquarters. 

CW5 Ensminger is a native of Nashville, Tennessee.  CW5 Ensminger was commissioned as a Military Police Officer in the Tennessee Army National Guard in 1982 from the ROTC Program at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville TN.  Upon Completion of his Military Police Officer Basic Course, CW5 Ensminger was assigned to the 130^th Rear Area Operation Center in Smyrna TN.  In 1986, CW5 Ensminger attended the United States Army Aviation Initial Rotary Wing Course at FT Rucker Alabama.  Upon his return from Flight School CW5 Ensminger joined the Warrant Officer Corp and transferred to the Fourth Squadron, 278^th Armored Cavalry Regiment.  At the same time, CW5 Ensminger entered the Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) program as the full-time Training Officer for the Aviation Squadron in Smyrna TN. 

In 2003, CW5 Ensminger mobilized and deployed as the Aviation Maintenance Officer with Task Force Falcon stationed at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo. Upon his return from deployment, CW5 Ensminger assumed the duties as the Aviation Training Manager in the State Aviation Office of the Joint Force Headquarters in Nashville.  Additionally, CW5 Ensminger serves as the State’s Force Integration Readiness Officer in the J3, Joint Force Headquarters. 

CW5 Ensminger has completed the Warrant Officer Advanced Course, the Warrant Officer Staff Course, the Aircraft Survivability Equipment/Electronic Course, The Joint Firepower Control Course, the National Interagency Counterdrug Institute, the Aviation Safety Officer Course and the Force Management Course.  CW5 Ensminger has served as the Guest Instructor for the National Guard’s Force Management Course at FT Belvoir Virginia.   CW5 Ensminger graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice.  CW5 Ensminger is a member of Tennessee Technology University’s ROTC Hall of Fame. 

Awards:

Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster

Army Commendation Medal

Army Comp Achievement Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

National Defense Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster

Armed Forces Reserve Medal

Army Achievement Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Army Service Ribbon

Kosovo Campaign Medal

Non Article 5 NATO Medal (Balkans)

Governor's Dist Unit Citation

TN NG Commendation Ribbon with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

TN NG Dist Unit Commendation with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters

TN NG Individual Achievement Ribbon with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

TN NG Service Ribbon with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

TN NG Volunteer R&R Unit Citation

TN NG Volunteer Ribbon