COL William P. Wenzler

Chief, Joint Staff
Tennessee National Guard

 

Colonel William P. (Bill) Wenzler is the first Chief of the Joint Staff, Tennessee National Guard. In this capacity, COL Wenzler is responsible to ensure that the personnel readiness, policies, strategic planning, and training of the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard are synchronized in order to affect the development of Joint Operational Capabilities. The Chief of the Joint Staff also acts in a military advisory capacity to the Adjutant General, Director of the Joint Staff, and Assistant Adjutants General.

COL Wenzler joined the TN Army National Guard in 1975 as a Military Policeman in Ripley, TN.  He served 6 years as an enlisted Soldier then received his commission as a Second Lieutenant upon completion of Officer Candidate School, Tennessee Military Academy, in 1981.

His educational background includes graduation from Halls High School, Halls, TN in 1974;  Baccalaureate from Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA; U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, FT Leavenworth, KS;  and  the United States Army War College, Carlisle, PA with a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies.

COL Wenzler’s previous command assignments include: 890th Combat Engineer Company; Joint Task Force “Carib-96”,  U.S. Atlantic Command, Commonwealth of Dominca;  Joint and Multi-National Task Force “Cornerstone – 98”,  Republic of Bulgaria;  TN Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Command;  and Afghan Regional Security Integration Command – East in Gardez, Afghanistan.  COL Wenzler has served on the Adjutant General’s Staff as Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel and Deputy Chief of Staff, Engineer.  He currently serves as Chief, of the Joint Staff, Tennessee National Guard.

He has received numerous State and Federal awards including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Polish Armed Forces Medal, and the Tennessee National Guard Distinguished Service Medal

MILITARY EDUCATION

2007 - Advanced Military Transition Team Training - Kabul, Afghanistan
2007 - Combat Lifesaver - FT Riley, KS
2007 - Military Transition Team Training - FT Riley, KS
2006 - US Army War College - Carlisle, PA
1999 - Military Police Office ADVANCED Orientation Course - Ft. Leonard Wood, MO
1993 - Separate Armored Brigade Refresher Course - Ft. Knox, KY
1992 - Separate Armored Brigade Refresher Course - Ft. Chaffee, AR
1991 - OSHA Safety Training Course - Smyrna, TN
1991 - Officer in Charge Course - Little Rock, AR
1990 - U.S. Army Command & General Staff College - Ft. Leavenworth, KS
1990 - Personnel Supervisory Management - Nashville, TN
1989 - Introduction to Personal Computers - Little Rock, AR
1988 - Leadership Development Course - Little Rock, AR
1987 - Training Officer Course - Little Rock, AR
1987 - U.S. Air Force, Air Ground Operations (ASI 5U) - Hurlburt Field, FL
1986 - Armor Office Advanced Course - Ft. Knox, KY
1984 - Armor Office Basic Course - Ft. Knox, KY

MILITARY SERVICE:

Date                               Description                                                                                   

04/09-Present                 Chief, Joint Staff, TN National Guard                                       

05/08-03/09                    Deputy Chief of Staff, Engineer, TNARNG                                          

07/07-05/08                    Commander, Afghan Regional Security Integration Command - Title 10 (OEF)

                                       East (CSTC-A JMD billet assigned to CJTF-Phoenix)

02/07-05/08                    Commander, 230th Army Liaison Team                                    

05/06-02/07                    G1, JFHQ, TNARNG                                                                                        

01/01- 04/06                   Commander, Recruiting & Retention Command, TNARNG

10/00-12/00                    Training Administrator, TNARNG

02/98-09/00                    Training Officer, TNARNG

01/96-01/98                    BDE Operations Officer, 194th Engineer Brigade (TA)

01/95-12/95                    BDE S-4, 194th Engineer Brigade (TA)

03/94-12/94                    Cdr, 890th Engineer Co. (CBT), 30th Sep Armd BDE

08/91-02/94                    Assistant S-3 (Air), 30th Separate Armored Brigade

05/90-07/91                    BN S1, 4-109th Armored Battalion, 20th Sep Armd BDE

08/86-04/90                    Liaison Officer, 4-109th Armor BN, 30th Sep Armd BDE

04/86-07/86                    Executive Officer, Combat Support Company, 4-109th Armor BN, 30th Sep Armored BDE                          

10/84-03/86                    Mortar Plt Ldr, Combat Support Company, 4-109th Armor BN, 30th Sep Armored BDE                            

09/82-09/84                    Scout Plt Ldr, Combat Support Company, 4-109th Armor BN, 30th Sep Armored BDE                            

08/81-08/82                    Air Defense Plt Ldr, Combat Support Company, 4-109th Armor BN, 30th Sep Armored BDE                            

10/78-07/81                    Clerk Typist, 913th Engineer Co., TNARNG

03/75-09/78                    MP, 268th Military Police Company, TNARNG 

OVERSEAS ADDITIONAL DUTY ASSIGNMENTS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

(Exercise Related Construction/Humanitarian & Civic Assistance)

 

Commander, Carib – 96, Commonwealth of Dominica           July 1995 – July 1996

U.S. Atlantic Command (ACOM)

Commander, Cornerstone 98, Republic of Bulgaria                July 1997 – Sept 1998

U.S. Army European Command (EUCOM)

26. DECORATIONS, AWARDS, & CITATIONS

Bronze Star Medal

Meritorious Service Medal

Army Commendation Medal (3rd Awd)

Air Force Commendation Medal (2nd Awd)

Army Achievement Medal (2nd Awd)

Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (7th Awd)

National Defense Medal (w/ Bronze Star)

Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/ Bronze Campaign Star)

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Armed Forces Reserve Medal (w/ 30 yr device and “M” device)

Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon

Army Service Ribbon

Army Overseas Ribbon

Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (6th Awd)

NATO Medal

QUALIFICATION BADGE

Combat Action Badge

Army National Guard Recruiter Badge (Basic)

FOREIGN

Medal of the Polish Armed Forces

TENNESSEE

Tennessee National Guard Distinguished Service Medal

Tennessee National Guard Superior Training Ribbon

Tennessee National Guard Commendation Ribbon

Tennessee National Guard War Service Ribbon

Tennessee National Guard Individual Achievement Ribbon

Tennessee National Guard Service Ribbon

Tennessee National Guard Volunteer Ribbon

Tennessee National Guard Adjutant Generals’ Staff Badge