Maj. Gen. Jimmy G. Welch, a 1964 DHS graduate, served the Tennessee National Guard for 39 years, retiring in 2007 as the Deputy Adjutant General. He was responsible for the training and supervision of more than 14,000 soldiers and airmen within the Tennessee National Guard.Welch’s active-duty military service began in 1968 when he enlisted in the United States Army. He was commissioned in 1969 as a Quartermaster Officer upon completion of the Engineer Officer Candidate School. Welch was discharged from active duty in 1971 after serving a tour in Vietnam. He was appointed in the Tennessee Army National Guard in 1974 and has served in various staff and leadership assignments.Prior to his assignment as the Deputy Adjutant General, Welch served as the Assistant Adjutant General, Army. He previously served as the Commander of the 194th Engineer Brigade, headquartered in Jackson. While serving in this position, the 194th Brigade deployed to Iraq. Under Maj. Gen. Welch’s command, the Brigade was able to integrate mobility, survivability and general engineering in support of the XVII Airborne Corps and the Multinational Corp-Iraq (MNC-I) commander’s intent. The cornerstone of the Brigade’s contribution during the deployment was the command and control of general support engineer forces and route clearance operation in southern and western Iraq. His command supported two multinational divisions, along with MND-Baghdad, and the Marine Expeditionary Force.Welch has also earned various degrees, such as a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (University of Tennessee 1968), Masters of Science in Education Administration (Univ. of TN 1978), Masters of Science in Guidance and Counseling (Univ. of TN 1981), and a Master of Science in Strategic Studies (U.S. Army War College 2000).Major awards and decorations earned by Welch include the following:Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with 1 Silver and 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Service Stars), Vietnam Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Service Stars), Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Gold Hourglass and M device), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (with Bronze Arabic Numeral 2), Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (with Bronze Arabic Numeral 3), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (with 60 Device), Tennessee National Guard Commendation Ribbon, Tennessee National Guard Service Ribbon (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters), Tennessee National Guard Volunteer Ribbon, State of Tennessee Governors Meritorious Unit Citation (with 2 Bronze Stars), Tennessee National Guard Distinguished Unit Citation, and Tennessee National Guard Volunteer Recruiting and Retention Unit Citation.Welch has served as Dyersburg Rotary Club President (1987-1988), a member of the Dyer County Fair Board, a DHS FFA Honorary Chapter farmer, a member of the Dyersburg City School Board (1988-1996), a member of the All Tennessee School Board (1993), on the University of Tennessee – Martin Development Council, and the Dyer County Equalization Board. He has also been inducted into the UTM Athletic Hall of Fame as well as the Engineer O.C.S. Hall of Fame in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.He is married to his wife, Linda Welch, and resides in Dyersburg.