Q&A

Q1. Is this a militia?

A: No. The TVC is a disaster relief organization dedicated to assisting government and civil agencies with recovery and response efforts. Under strict TVC regulations, weapons are unauthorized and strictly prohibited. The TVC is entirely unarmed and fully pro-government, making it a civic service organization rather than a militia.

Q2. Is this a federal military organization?

A: No. The TVC is a civilian non-profit organization. While the TVC voluntarily honors military traditions and conforms to AR 670-1 (wear and appearance of uniforms) and AR 600-25 (salutes, honors, and courtesy) standards, it is in no way affiliated with the federal government or the State of Tennessee.

Q3. Is this the State Guard for Tennessee?

A: No. The TVC is a civilian, non-profit disaster relief organization. By contrast, the Tennessee State Guard (TNSG) is an official state-level military organization. The TNSG serves as the formal state defense force and operates as a state military branch under the jurisdiction of the Tennessee Department of Military.

Q4. Who can join the TVC?

A: Anyone 18 years of age or older is eligible to join, provided they do not have any felony convictions. Additionally, applicants must have a clean record free of misdemeanor convictions involving burglary, theft, assault, or drug-related offenses.

Q5. What uniform will I wear?

A: The TVC utilizes four distinct uniform categories depending on the assignment:

• Field Dress Uniform (FDU): The Army Combat Uniform (ACU) in either the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) or Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) is authorized for field wear.

• Basic Service Uniform (BSU): This standard utility uniform consists of an official TVC polo shirt paired with black or khaki tactical pants.

• Basic Service Field Uniform (BSF): A hybrid configuration combining the BSU polo shirt with FDU camouflage trousers.

• Service Dress Uniform (SDU): The TVC’s Class A-style dress uniform, reserved exclusively for formal events and special occasions.

Q6. Do I have to supply anything?

A: Yes. Members are responsible for supplying their own uniforms and equipment.

Q7. Where will I serve?

A: You will serve locally within your region of residence and deploy with your designated Regional Brigade: West TN (1st Brigade), Middle TN (2nd Brigade), or East TN (3rd Brigade).

Q8. Will the TVC deploy outside of Tennessee?

A: The primary mission of the TVC is to serve within the state of Tennessee. However, depending on exceptional circumstances and specific mutual aid requests, out-of-state deployments may be considered.

Q9. Will I get certified in MEMS and earn SGAUS MEMS badges?

A: No. The TVC is not currently a State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) approved organization, meaning members cannot earn Military Emergency Management Specialist (MEMS) certifications through the TVC. However, members who are prior military or affiliated with another organization (such as the Civil Air Patrol) and have already earned their MEMS certification are authorized to wear their MEMS badge insignia on their TVC uniforms.

Q10. What will we be trained in?

A: Members of the TVC receive comprehensive training in disaster response and emergency management. The curriculum includes:

• Core Operations: Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) protocols, Light Search and Rescue (SAR), and Point of Distribution (POD) operations.

• Medical Readiness: First Aid, CPR, and Tactical Medicine.

• Incident Command: National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) frameworks via required FEMA Independent Study (IS) courses.

Q11. When will we have meetings and drills?

A: Drills are held once per month on a designated Saturday, with occasional months requiring two Saturday sessions. The standard drill schedule is structured as follows:

• Start Time: 0830 hours (8:30 AM)

• Dismissal: Typically wrapped up by 1330 hours (1:30 PM), though complex training events may extend until 1500 or 1600 hours (3:00 PM / 4:00 PM) at the latest.

• Meal Break: A 30-minute break is scheduled natively between 1130 and 1230 hours.

Q12. I was in the military; do I still need to go through some version of TVC basic training?

A: No. Prior military personnel are not required to complete Initial Entry Training (IET).

Q13. I have no military experience and don't know how to salute, let alone how to wear the uniform correctly. Will the TVC train me?

A: Yes. Civilian members with no prior military service will complete Initial Entry Training (IET). You will be fully trained on proper uniform wear, customs and courtesies, and military etiquette. This includes instruction on rendering salutes and understanding military honors in accordance with AR 670-1 (Uniform Wear and Appearance) and AR 600-25 (Salutes, Honors, and Courtesy).

Q14. Is the TVC a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization?

A: Yes. As of June 2026, the Tennessee Volunteer Corps received its official determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) designating the TVC as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity.

Q15. Is the TVC allowed to solicit and collect donations?

A: Yes. In addition to receiving its 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS, the Tennessee Volunteer Corps successfully registered with the Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming under the Tennessee Secretary of State's office. As a registered charity, the TVC is legally authorized to solicit and collect charitable contributions.

Q16. Will the TVC conduct search and rescue operations?

A: No. The TVC is not currently authorized or credentialed to conduct full-scale search and rescue (SAR) missions. However, the TVC does perform non-credentialed SAR educational drills. Additionally, members may conduct light search and rescue functions in accordance with Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, but only when explicitly activated by local emergency managers, authorities, or incident commanders under legal authorization.