Major General Jimmie L. Cole, Jr. is the Deputy Adjutant General of the Tennessee Military Department and has served in that capacity since September 2021. He serves as the Deputy Commander to the Adjutant General with the responsibility, oversight and administration of over 13,000 Soldiers and Airman in the Tennessee National Guard. MG Cole also has the responsibility of synchronizing all state and interagency entities within the military department to include state administrative services, family support programs, the State Guard, and TEMA. Before assuming his current role, MG Cole was the Tennessee National Guard’s Land Component Commander.

After serving as an enlisted Infantryman, he was commissioned an Air Defense Artillery Officer in the U.S. Army in 1991 through Officer Candidate School, Ft. Benning, Georgia. Upon completion of the Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic Course at Fort Bliss, Texas, he was assigned to 2-44 ADA, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as a Vulcan/Stinger Platoon Leader.  After his first assignment, MG Cole led the Division's only pure Stinger Platoon. After leading two platoons, MG Cole transitioned to the Finance Branch where he served as Battalion Assistant S-3 and the Commander of Detachment B, 101st Finance Battalion.

Upon leaving active duty in 1995, MG Cole joined the Tennessee Army National Guard where he served in various command and staff positions to include: Commander, 1129th Finance; G3 Training Officer; S-3 30th Finance (mobilized); Deputy G3, Training Division Chief; Commander Regimental Reconnaissance 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment (mobilized/deployed to Iraq); Plans Officer 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment; Commander First Squadron 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment (mobilized/deployed to Iraq); Deputy G4, Deputy Director for Logistics; G8, Director of Property and Fiscal Operations; G3, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations and Training; Chief of Staff, Tennessee Army National Guard; Commander, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment (mobilized/deployed to Ukraine and Poland).

MG Cole is a graduate of the Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic, Finance Advanced Course, Airborne, Air Assault, Scout Commander Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Command and General Staff Course, Infantry Pre Command Course, Joint Task Force Commander Course, and Dual Status Commander Course. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Louisiana State University and is a graduate of the United States Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, where he received his Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies.

MG Cole’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (with 2 Campaign Stars), Humanitarian Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, Army Parachute Badge, Air Assault Badge, Order of Saint George, Order of Saint Barbara, and Order of Saint Maurice along with numerous other federal and state awards.

MG Cole is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and currently resides with his wife, Danya.  They have two sons, Cameran and Watson. MG Cole is also the proud grandfather of Donavan and Ramsey.

(Current as of 12/8/2021)