COL William P. Wenzler
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