Brigadier General Kenneth T. Takasaki

Commanding General
Tennessee State Guard

Brigadier General Kenneth T. Takasaki is the Commanding General, Tennessee State Guard. Brigadier General Takasaki was appointed to this position in December 07 by Major General Gus L. Hargett Jr., The Adjutant General. He is responsible for the operation, training, and readiness for this organization that has four regiments each located in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga.

Prior to his assignment as the Commanding General, Brigadier General Takasaki served as 2nd Regiment Commander and 204th Infantry Battalion Commander, Tennessee State Guard. Prior to joining the Tennessee State Guard, Brigadier General Takasaki retired from the United States Army having served the last eight years with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). During those eight years, thirty-two months were spent in a command billet as a Special Forces Operational Detachment “A” Team Commander.

Brigadier General Takasaki completed the Special Forces, Ranger, Jumpmaster, and Air Assault Courses. He has earned the Canadian, Egyptian, and Master Jordanian Parachutist Badge. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, two awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, Valorous Unit Award, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He is the recipient of the General George C. Marshall Leadership Award.

Brigadier General Takasaki has also served as a City Councilman for the City of Clarksville. He earned his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Boston University and graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Institute for Public Service. As an educator, he served as Adjunct Lecturer for the University of Maryland and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, European Division. He served three years as Chair of the American Red Cross at Fort Campbell, three years as member and Chair of the Clarksville Human Relations Commission, four years as board member of Community Action Agency, and is currently a Trustee Board Member for Leadership Clarksville.

His civilian awards include the Clara Barton Honor Award for Meritorious Volunteer leadership, Installation Volunteer of the Year Award for Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the Department of the Army Commander’s Award for Public Service, and the Commanding General Certificate of Appreciation for Volunteer Service on Fort Campbell from both General David Petreaus and General Richard Cody.

(Current as of March 2008)