James Crockett appointed as Tennessee’s Senior Enlisted Leader
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Military Department announced today that Command Sgt. Maj. James Dale Crockett, a Crossville native, will serve as the Tennessee Military Department’s Senior Enlisted Leader effective Jan. 21.
Crockett will replace Command Chief Master Sgt. Kenneth Simmons, Tennessee’s current Senior Enlisted Leader, who is retiring Jan. 27, after 43 years of military service with the U.S. Air Force and the Tennessee Air National Guard.
“Simmons has been a talented and trusted advisor since 2020, and he will be greatly missed,” said Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes, Tennessee’s Adjutant General. “I wish him well on his much-deserved retirement. The Military Department is also proud to welcome Command Sgt. Major Crockett to our senior command team who is a tested combat veteran and a talented leader.”
As the Senior Enlisted Leader, Crockett will be responsible for advising the Adjutant General on all enlisted matters affecting training and utilization, health of the force, and professional development of the more than 14,000 Tennessee National Guard Soldiers and Airmen. Prior to this appointment, Crockett served as the State Command Sergeant Major for the Tennessee Army National Guard.
Crockett started his military career nearly 33 years ago when he enlisted in the Tennessee National Guard in June 1990 as a cavalry scout. He advanced through the ranks and was promoted to Sgt. 1st Class in 2001 while assigned to Troop C’s Detachment 1 with the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment’s 1st Squadron. He served as a scout platoon sergeant and his Bradley Fighting Vehicle crew was recognized as the 278th’s “Top Gun” in 2003 before deploying to Iraq in 2004 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In 2006, Crockett became the first sergeant for 2nd Squadron’s G Troop where he deployed to Louisiana for Gustov Hurricane Relief in 2008. He deployed to Iraq again in 2009. Crockett then became the 2nd Squadron’s Command Sergeant Major in March 2012 followed by being selected as the 11th Command Sergeant Major of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment in 2017. He deployed with the 278th to Ukraine in 2018. In January 2021, Crockett was appointed as the State Command Sergeant Major for the Tennessee Army National Guard where he has served for the last two years.
Command Sgt. Maj. James Dale Crockett is appointed as the Tennessee Military Department’s Senior Enlisted Leader effective Jan. 21. (Tennessee Military Department photo)