The Tennessee Military Department is divided into three major organizations, the Tennessee Army National Guard, the Tennessee Air National Guard, and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. The all-volunteer Tennessee State Guard also falls under the jurisdiction of the Military Department.
The volunteer spirit and Tennessee, an inseparable combination since 1780 when Colonel John Sevier called for “100 good men”—and 200 answered—has been a source of pride for generations of Tennesseans. Today, that spirit is still alive and well with the Tennessee National Guard, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, and the Tennessee State Guard. 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. As we have seen since September 11, 2001, America simply cannot defend herself or go to war without the National Guard. Since that time, more than 5,000 citizen soldiers and airmen have answered the call to active duty.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency is the agency of state government responsible for managing the state’s response to emergencies and disasters that affect the citizens of Tennessee and/or its local governments.