Photo By Master Sgt. Teri Eicher | Attendees of the Tennessee Senior Enlisted Leader Conference pose for a group photo at...... read more read more
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Senior enlisted leaders from across the state of Tennessee gathered to conduct training, share information, and improve connections between Army and Air National Guard units here Sept. 16-19, 2025.
This year, the Senior Enlisted Leader Development Summit included E8’s as well as E9’s from across Tennessee’s five Army units, three Air Force units, and Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) in Nashville.
“This event is investing in our leadership, which invests in our formation,” said Command Sergeant Major Dale Crockett, Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the Tennessee National Guard. “A lot of the things we go over change every year, and here we give them the tools to work through those issues as they come up.”
The four-day program included physical training, briefings on policies and benefits, and a staff ride to the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park for a historical lesson with modern-day tie-ins.
“People are our number one priority, we can’t afford not to invest in them at all levels,” said Crockett. “To maintain that continuous learning, we make a consistent effort to give them the information needed to be successful. It makes our organization better if you make the people more educated, more informed, and better prepared to lead.”
The main focus of this annual event is combining Army and Air forces to encourage the development of relationships across the branches in an increasingly joint operational environment.
“Before I started working at Joint Force Headquarters, I had never really had any opportunity to spend time working with anyone in the Air Guard so it was a bit of a culture shock,” said First Sergeant Jamie Bivens, First Sergeant HHD JFHQ. “We do the same things, but just very differently. For me the conference has been invaluable and I’ve loved every minute of it.”
Senior Master Sergeant Travis Pruett, Superintendent of Aerospace Medical Training at the 134th Air Refueling Wing, agreed. “In a joint environment we need to understand how the roles and responsibilities of our counterparts are different than ours, to understand their troops’ perspectives, so we can lead them,” he said. “Through this conference, being together in a room and hearing leadership’s concerns and needs, I have a much better understanding on how I could better lead Army troops in joint environment like we experienced during COVID.”
While the briefings covered valuable topics ranging from global threats to education benefits, attendees agreed that one of the biggest benefits was simply getting leaders from the various units in one location.
“I think events like this are incredibly beneficial, and if anything it needs to be encouraged more for both Army and Air to mix,” said Bivens. “You’ve got to sit down and talk, and sometimes the hardest part is just taking the first step.”
CSM Crockett stressed the importance of these joint conferences to the continued development of Tennessee military leadership. “I think it’s invaluable to combine Army and Air in one event, working together as a team, completing training together. It’s a priority of mine, it’s a priority of The Tennessee Adjutant General’s, and it’s something we’re going to continue to do regardless of challenges the future may hold.”
| Date Taken: | 09.29.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 10.20.2025 13:37 |
| Story ID: | 550259 |
| Location: | LOUISVILLE, TENNESSEE, US |
| Web Views: | 33 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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