MILLINGTON, Tenn. - After 24 years in the Navy and nearly eight years in local government, the mayor of this Memphis suburb said he's glad to extend his service as a member of the Tennessee State Guard.
Millington Mayor Terry Jones is wearing two hats during Operation Vigilant Guard 08, which is testing the response of local and state agencies to a simulated earthquake in the Memphis area. In addition to serving as the city's chief executive, he's also carrying out his duties as a lieutenant colonel in the all-volunteer Tennessee State Guard.
"It's an opportunity to serve the public," said Jones, who serves as the civilian-military affairs officer for the State Guard's 1st Regiment. "The opportunity arose and I got talked into it. I saw it as a good opportunity to give back to the community once again."
Jones' last assignment in uniform was as the Base Closure and Realignment officer for the nearby Naval Support Activity Mid-South. A Truman, Ark., native, he retired from the Navy in 1997 as a lieutenant commander and took a job teaching Junior ROTC at Millington Central High School. It was then that Jones was drawn into local politics.
"I became acquainted with a number of the parents in the area," Jones said. "Several of them thought that we needed new ideas and new faces on the Board of Aldermen."
After one term, Jones was elected to the city's top position during a non-partisan election in 2004. He plans to seek a second term in September, but said he has no higher political aspirations.
"If I could stay in here for another term, possibly two, that would be fine," Jones said. "We've laid a lot of groundwork during this term, but you really need more time to implement ideas and programs."
Jones said he relies often on his military experiences in leading the city. He said he has tried to shift the city employees' promotion system away from a longevity-based system to one more dependant on performance.
Jones, 53, has a busy schedule. In addition to serving as Millington's full-time mayor and as an officer in the Tennessee State Guard, he is the father of six children ranging in ages 29 to 19 months and has two grandchildren.
"My wife remarked to me once that it was tough being a single parent," Jones said. "I have had to allow time for the family as well.
"It's a matter of managing schedules."
This day is a particular challenge. In addition to his mayoral and military duties, he is off to check on a sick child at home.
Jones said the exercise is time well spent. The coordination between municipal agencies and state agencies like the Tennessee National Guard is particularly crucial in times of disaster. He said he's proud of the role Millington is playing in Operation Vigilant Guard 08.
"We have our fire department and police department operating decontamination areas," Jones said. "This gives them an opportunity to work with other agencies, and gives them hands-on experience for the big one."
Referring to the New Madrid fault, Jones added, "It's a question of when, not if."
His role in the Tennessee State Guard is a natural for Jones. He works with a lot of state and local agencies helping coordinate his regiment's activities in west Tennessee.
Jones also works to help recruit new members of the Tennessee State Guard. He points with pride to the fact that his unit has gone from 35 to nearly 90 members in recent months.
"I fill in where they need me," Jones said.
Jones works for Lt. Col. Brian Willemssen, who serves as 1st Regiment's commander. A fellow Naval veteran, Willemssen said Jones serves as a key member of his staff.
"Being the mayor, he knows a lot of people in the surrounding areas," Willemssen said. "He always knows the right people to talk to get what we need."
Willemssen said Jones is indicative of the high-quality individuals who serve in the Tennessee State Guard. They give of time and talents and get no compensation while they pay their own expenses.
"He's an excellent officer, great individual and excellent Soldier," Willemssen said.