John Bowlin being promoted to brigadier general
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Col. John “Brad” Bowlin, a native of Bristol, will be promoted to the rank of brigadier general during a ceremony held at the Mt. Carmel National Guard Armory at 1 p.m. on March 6. Tennessee’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes, will preside over the promotion ceremony.
“I cannot think of a better officer for this promotion than Brad,” Holmes said. “His numerous deployments, key assignments, and leadership ability have prepared him well for this new level of responsibility and I know he will excel at it.”
On Oct. 21, 2021, Bowlin was appointed as the Assistant Division Commander - Operations, for the Texas National Guard’s 36th Infantry Division. As the first Tennessee National Guardsman to hold this position, he is now responsible for the training and operations of the 36th Infantry Division and its eight subordinate brigades from Texas, New Mexico, and Tennessee.
Over his career, Bowlin served in multiple command and staff positions to include Armor Platoon Leader, Scout Platoon Leader, Cavalry Troop Commander, Reconnaissance Squadron Operations Officer, Squadron Executive Officer, Regimental Chief of Operations, Regimental Executive Officer, and Commander of Knoxville’s 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment. He deployed twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and also served in Germany, Korea, Bulgaria, and Central Africa.
Bowlin is from Bristol and currently living in Dandridge.
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Media interested in attending must RSVP by calling the Tennessee National Guard Joint Public Affairs Office at (615) 313-0662 or email Lt. Col. Darrin Haas at darrin.w.haas.mil@army.mil. The ceremony is scheduled to begin on Sunday, March 6, at 1 p.m. EST. It will be located at the Mt. Carmel National Guard Armory, 399 Highway 11 W, Mt. Carmel, TN 37645. Media will be met on site prior to the ceremony.
Command photograph of Col. John “Brad” Bowlin. (photo by Tennessee National Guard)