Deputy Director Wear Represents Agency at Bosslift 2025

TWRA Deputy Director for Field Operations, Brandon Wear, was among those who had the privilege to participate in Bosslift 2025. Sponsored by the Employer Support for the Guard & Reserve (ESGR). Bosslift is an annual event for area employers of National Guard and Reserve personnel to observe how their employees, who also serve in the military, train for deployment.  

 After a welcome by ESGR Chair Joe Thomas, flight coordinator Paula Thompson gave an itinerary of the day’s events. After the flight pre-brief, Deputy Wear and the others loaded onto two Blackhawk helicopters for the flight to the National Guard’s training site at Tullahoma to get a perspective of the Guard’s training regimen. Deputy Wear’s group participated in the firing simulation of two of the most frequently used weapons in combat, the automatic rifle and 9 mm pistol. The simulators provided the sound, feel, and action of firing the weapons without the cost of ammunition.

Employers were able to tour the small arms ranges and see where their employees qualify with various weapons assigned, along with the obstacle course and Engagement Skills Training Facility. The Tullahoma site is the first in the nation to have a fully operational Wi-Fi firing range, and it provides an urban assault course, an air assault school with a drop zone. After lunch, the group loaded back on the Blackhawks and returned to Smyrna Airport for a debrief. Following the experience, Deputy said, “It’s rewarding to have participated in this unique experience, and it increases my appreciation for the level of commitment guardsmen and reservists possess.”