Commander's Comments

Being in the Tennessee State Guard (TNSG) is a wonderful way to serve your local community and the people of Tennessee and be better prepared to care for your own family during an emergency.

The TNSG is often confused with the Tennessee Army National Guard (TNANG)--which is subject to involuntary activation to places like Iraq, Afghanistan, and other exciting locations around the globe. The TNSG is only used in Tennessee, and there are no involuntary mobilizations--you are never forced to miss work or family events.

Being in the State Guard is kind of like being part of a police auxiliary, a Red Cross volunteer, on a search and rescue squad, and on a military honors unit all at once. If you are looking for a full time paid position, the TNSG is not for you. If you are looking for a way to do your part helping your community and your state to be prepared in the event of natural disaster, major accident, or terrorist attack--this is the place.

The TNSG is part of the Military Department of Tennessee and reports to the Governor of Tennessee via the Adjutant General--the same as the Tennessee Army National Guard. The TNSG is divided into four regiments with the 3rd Regiment (the Alvin C. York Regiment) being responsible for most of the portion of Tennessee in the eastern time zone with the exception of an area near Chattanooga. Headquarters for the 3rd Regiment is located just east of the TN Army National Guard armory at 3330 Sutherland Avenue in Knoxville. Battalions reporting to the 3rd Regiment have their training at locations all across east Tennessee.

Give us a call, send us an e-mail, or come by and see us (Friday mornings between 0930 and 1130 is a good time to drop by the armory and talk with staff personnel and pick up some printed information). The TNSG might be just what you have been looking for to put a little purpose back into your life.

Colonel Steve Mead
Commander, 3rd Regiment, TNSG


(Colonel Steven J. Mead became the 3rd Regiment Commander on June 4, 2011. He has worked at nuclear facilities in Oak Ridge since retiring from the U.S. Navy in 1987 and is currently a Senior Technical Staff Engineer at the Y-12 National Security Complex. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Mexico, a Master of Science in Business Administration from Boston University, and has completed over 650 hours of Department of Energy training in emergency management; criticality safety; and hazardous and radioactive materials transportation, storage, and management. He has been married to his wife, Leslie, since 1969. The Mead’s live in Oak Ridge, have four married daughters, and nine grandchildren. COL Mead has 7 years service with the Tennessee State Guard, and was elected to the Anderson County Commission in 2010.

U.S. Military: COL Mead joined the Navy right out of high school in 1966. He was selected for nuclear propulsion training and trained for about 2½ years before being assigned to his first submarine. He advanced to pay grade E-6 at age 21 and shortly thereafter was selected for a full-time, active duty college program. He completed his engineering degree, received his commission, and returned to the submarine force in May 1976. He served on two more Ballistic Missile Submarines and associated staff assignments, with the final 3½ years as Executive Officer, Commander Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet Representative, Northwood, England. Then Navy Lt. Commander Mead, retired with a total of 21½ years on active duty (10 enlisted, 11½ commissioned) and moved to Tennessee. Awards included the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, 2 awards Navy Good Conduct Medal, Navy Expert Pistol Medal, 3 awards Navy Overseas Service, and 3 awards Navy Sea Service.)

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