Almost 15,000 Tennessee men and women are members of the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard. They serve as full partners with active duty American men and women, worldwide, to make up the "Total Force" of American defense. Nationwide the Army National Guard contributes more than half of the Army's total combat strength for about five percent of the total budget. The Air National Guard performs about 35 percent of the total Air Force mission for about six percent of the entire annual Air Force budget. America simply cannot defend herself or go to war without the National Guard.

The Tennessee National Guard underwent a major reorganization in early 1995, which saw more than half of its units being restructured and almost 75% of its personnel being trained in new Military Occupational Specialties (MOS's). By the end of 1998, the Tennessee Guard is expected to be the 6th largest National Guard in the United States. National defense is one of the dual missions of the National Guard. The other, yet equally important, role of the National Guard is to be a state military force under the direction of the Governor. The Tennessee Constitution directs the governor to assume the role of "Commander-in-Chief' of the state The Guard may be called upon to maintain order in emergency situations, to rescue civilians whose lives arc in danger, or to assist during natural disasters. For example, in July of 1977 a total of 149 Guard personnel were activated to assist local authorities in Rockwood after a chemical spill left a cloud of hazardous gas hanging over the East Tennessee city. The Guard has been summoned to assist local residents when floods have ravaged portions of Tennessee. When fireman strikes occurred in 1978 in Memphis and in 1980 in Nashville, the Guard deployed hundreds of soldiers to the two cities to assist local officials and residents.

During March of 1993, most of middle and all of east Tennessee were blasted by a severe winter storm that dumped record amounts of snow in some portions of this state. Thousands of people were without power in their homes and hundreds were stranded in snow drifts of ten feet or more on the interstate highways. This late winter blizzard brought more than 2,400 Tennessee National Guard soldiers to duty in the most extensive disaster relief operation since 1937.

When terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, the Tennessee National Guard responded immediately.  Tennessee Air National Guard KC-135 air to air refueling aircraft from the 134th Air Refueling Wing in Knoxville immediately began refueling fighters along the east coast.  The 164th Airlift Wing from Memphis deployed four C-141 aircraft within 20 hours of the attacks.  The 118th Airlift Wing from Nashville deployed more than 100 personnel within 22 hours.  The 228th Combat Communications Squadron from Knoxville deployed within days to Quatar.  The 118th also transported a liver transplant from Nashville to Texas on September 11th, helping save the life of a small child, one of the only non-military missions flown after the attacks.

On the Army side, more than 100 soldiers provided additional security at 6 Tennessee airports for more than 8 months.  Soldiers from the 268th Military Police Company in Ripley and Dyersburg augmented the security forces at Milian Arsenal and the Holston Army Ammunition Plant near Kingsport.  Soldiers patrolled the Capitol grounds and Legislative Plaza in Nashville to augment State, Metro Nashville and Capitol Police forces.

Since 9/11, more than 5,000 soldiers and airmen from the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard have deployed to help protect our country and support our forces abroad.  The Volunteer tradition continues as units from throughout Tennessee continue to serve on Homeland Defense missions and deploy overseas in the War on Terrorism.  Soldiers and Airmen from Tennessee have served in Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom.

The Military Department of Tennessee has 504 state positions with an additional 2,400 full-time federal employees. The Tennessee Army and Air National Guard stands at almost 17,000 officers and enlisted personnel. With a state and federal payroll in excess of $150 million, the Military Department oversees a total budget, including state and federal funds of over $400 million. The Adjutant General, a constitutional officer of the state appointed by the governor, is responsible for the leadership and command of the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the Bureau of War Records.

The War Records Division maintains records of Tennesseans who have served in the military forces of Tennessee and in any branch of the armed forces. More than six million records are stored at the bureau. This number in increases each year due to receipt of personnel files of discharged Tennessee Army and Air National Guardsman, unit records, field training and training assembly payrolls, strength reports and military discharges. Records date back to the War of 1812, Seminole Indian War, Mexican War and the Civil War.

With a total strength of almost 15,000 officers and enlisted members stationed in 95 different locations statewide, the Tennessee Guard serves as a state military force, directed by the governor, responsible for preserving civil authority and protecting lives and property in the event of civil unrest and natural or man-made disasters.