This Saturday, the Tennessee National Guard’s Fox Troop, made up of some-150 soldiers, will be deployed to the Middle East where it will take part in a long running operation maintaining US military posture in the region and to train with partner nations. This deployment is part of a long-standing rotation. The last deployment took place in 2018 when the National Guard deployed soldiers to Poland. The Fox Troop is composed largely of soldiers trained as 11B infantryman to serve in the Mechanized Infantry whose job is to secure buildings, provide security, create checkpoints and train with partner nations.
“Today's military is an all-volunteer force, and these soldiers want to serve doing what they signed up to do. I think everyone is proud to do what they’re called to do,” said Captain Brice Holmes. “A lot of us are from around here and the Middle Tennessee area, so it’s pretty special to call this troop home and be able to continue the tradition tracing its linage all the way back from Iraqi Freedom to Tennessee’s over-the-mountain men in the Revolutionary War.”
“As a section leader and training NCO (non-commissioned officer) on the full-time side, I don’t know if there’s a more prepared and better-trained unit in the Tennessee National Guard or maybe even the National Guard as a whole,” said Staff Sergeant Kristopher Gore. “That attributes to our leaders at the company, battalion and regimental levels.”
Members of the community are asked to join the National Guard in seeing these soldiers off as they embark in a 10-month tour overseas.
The troop will be escorted by Warren County Sheriff’s Department and McMinnville Police Department from the Major General Max Haston Readiness Center on Highway 55 West until Manchester, just before entering Interstate 24 West to Nashville. Guests will join the families of the selfless service members by lining the route between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to show their support.
“There’s a certain sacrifice that is required to do this,” Holmes said. “There’s countless birthdays, funerals and weddings that these soldiers are missing. These are all volunteers who stepped up and answered the call. They could have gotten out of it, but they’re here because their country’s asked it of them. There’s the sacrifice they’re making and then the one the families make.”
Gore and Holmes suggested the community rally behind the families left behind while their loved ones were deployed, citing the void left by lacking them.
“We have all of these families across the state who are missing sons, daughters, husbands or wives. Having the support of neighbors and church members to help ease that burden is appreciated,” said Holmes. “We’ve had so much support from the community. We’re having a family day this week and there’s numerous people who have come forward to provide food, money or services and we’re so grateful for that.”
Holmes recommended those who wish to find out more about assisting the National Guard with such events can contact Soldier Family Readiness Group Leader Kasey Mussared. Mussared is the point of contact for soldiers’ families while they are overseas and her e-mail address is kasey.d.mussared.civ@army.mil.
“People don’t realize that you’re missing out on your child’s first steps, first words, graduations and birthdays,” Gore said. “They miss the birthdays that are milestones and people don’t realize the toll it takes on a soldier. In order to be a soldier, you have to care more about something bigger than yourself and what you miss out on. You have to sacrifice so much that you have to care about something bigger.”
Gore and Holmes, who will be deploying with Fox Troop, encourage all who are able to attend the send-off come to show their support for the soldiers on Saturday.
