Command Sergeant Major James D. Crockett is the Command Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL) for the Tennessee National Guard. CSM Crockett works directly for The Adjutant General (TAG) at the Joint Force Headquarters located in Nashville, Tennessee. He serves as the primary advisor and spokesperson regarding issues related to the training, development, analysis, and enforcement of established policies and standards for more than 14,000 Tennessee National Guard Soldiers and Airmen distributed over 120 facilities. He also provides strategic advice and planning input to command leadership on effective use of resources and programs in support of established TAG objectives.

Crockett makes recommendations to the Army and Air component commanders and joint staff on all matters pertaining to the enlisted force and their families. He ensures adherence to command policies, monitors readiness, enlisted professional development, training, health, morale, and welfare of enlisted service members, and ensures all noncommissioned officers comply with the state’s enlisted program goals and objectives. Crockett regularly interacts with senior enlisted leaders of other Department of Defense components and participate in a variety of DoD, federal, and state level advisory councils.

Crockett assumed the duties as Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the Tennessee National Guard on January 27, 2023. He enlisted in the Army National Guard in June 1990, and graduated as a Cavalry Scout in February 1991. During the course of his career, Crockett held numerous duty positions, including Cavalry Scout, Troop L 3/278 ACR; ITV Gunner, Troop L 3/278; and Detachment NCOIC, Troop C 1/278 ACR. Crockett also served as Platoon Sergeant, Regimental Recon Troop 278 ACR, where he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004-2005, and First Sergeant for Troop G 2/278 ACR, where he deployed again to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2009-2010. His other positions include Command Sergeant Major for the 2/278 ACR, and the eleventh Regimental Command Sergeant Major for the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment where he deployed supporting Joint Multinational Group-Ukraine, Operation Atlantic Resolve, from 2018-2019. He most recently served as the ninth Army Command Sergeant Major for Tennessee.

Crockett’s military education and training includes U.S. Army Nominative Leader Course, U.S. Army Brigade Pre-Command Course, U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, M1 Tank Commander Certification Course, First Sergeant Course, Company Pre-Command Course, Airborne Course, Sniper Course, Designated Marksman Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Couse, Primary Leadership Development Course, and Basic Reconnaissance Course.

His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device and Silver Hour Glass, Noncommissioned Officer Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Tennessee Distinguished Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Bronze Medallion of the Order of Saint George, and numerous other state awards.

Crockett is a native of Crossville, and currently resides with his wife Sharon. They have a son, Connor, and daughter, Sara.

(Current as of 4/26/2023)