MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - The National Guard Association of Tennessee brought its 2026 State Conference back to Murfreesboro and filled the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center with soldiers, airmen, retirees, families, and partners from across the state. The three‑day gathering, held February 12–14, 2026, blended professional development, legislative updates, leadership meetings, and the kind of camaraderie that has defined the Guard for generations.
This year’s Call to Conference laid out a full slate of activity, from Officer Professional Development sessions for Company Grade and Warrant Officers to business meetings focused on benefits, readiness, and Tennessee’s legislative priorities. Senior leaders from the Tennessee National Guard delivered briefings throughout the weekend, offering updates on operations, training, and the evolving needs of the force. Corporate partners filled the exhibit hall, while receptions, networking events, and the annual awards banquet provided time to honor outstanding service and strengthen relationships across units and eras.
The conference also included its traditional mix of friendly competition and community‑building, with a Top Golf tournament along with a Shooting Clays tournament. Attendance was approximately 300-plus, drawing a cross‑section of the Guard community: soldiers, airmen, command teams, retirees, corporate supporters, NGAUS representatives, and military families.
At the center of the event were Tennessee’s senior leaders, whose roles shape the direction of the state’s Army and Air National Guard. Maj. Gen. Warner A. Ross II, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, led the delegation, joined by Deputy Adjutant General Brig. Gen. Trent Scates; Assistant Adjutant General–Army Brig. Gen. Steven Turner; Assistant Adjutant General–Air Brig. Gen. M. Lee Hartley, Jr.; State Command Sergeant Major Heath Young; Senior Enlisted Leader Command Sgt. Maj. James Crockett; and State Command Chief Master Sergeant Michael M. Johnson. Their presence underscored the conference’s purpose: strengthening readiness, supporting service members, and ensuring Tennessee’s voice remains strong at the national level.
Founded in 1924, the National Guard Association of Tennessee has long served as the statewide advocate for Guard members, working to secure resources, advance professional development, and represent Tennessee within the National Guard Association of the United States. The annual conference continues that mission, blending official business with a celebration of service and the enduring spirit of the Tennessee National Guard.
