Governor Phil Bredesen today appointed Brigadier General Terry M. “Max” Haston as Tennessee’s 75th adjutant general. General Haston will replace Major General Gus L. Hargett, Jr., who announced his retirement earlier this year. General Haston is currently the assistant adjutant general, Army, Tennessee National Guard.

“I’m pleased to announce the appointment of Max Haston as Tennessee’s Adjutant General,” said Governor Bredesen. “His years of experience as a commander and staff officer are vital to the continued professional leadership of our Tennessee Guard. I am confident that under his leadership, our soldiers and airmen will continue to uphold the time honored tradition set forth by the generations of Tennesseans who have served our state and nation.

“I also want to express my appreciation once again to his predecessor, General Gus Hargett, for his service to our country and the state of Tennessee. He has been a trusted advisor to me and a true leader for Tennessee.”

General Haston is a native of McMinnville and currently resides in Knoxville. He was commissioned in 1979 as an armor officer in the U.S. Army from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro.

“I’m honored to receive this appointment from Governor Bredesen,” said General Haston. “The Tennessee National Guard leads the way both here at home and abroad, and I look forward to serving the state soldiers and airmen in this new appointment.”

After completing a tour on active duty at Ft. Hood, Texas, General Haston joined the Tennessee Army National Guard in 1983. He has served in numerous command and leadership positions within the National Guard, including armor company commander, squadron and regimental training officer, and squadron commander. In 2001, General Haston assumed command as the seventh colonel of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, headquartered in Knoxville. Following command of the 278th, he was assigned as the deputy chief of staff for Operations and J-3, Joint Forces Headquarters, Tennessee. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Penn.

In May 2005, General Haston mobilized and deployed as the Chief of Reserve Components, Multi-National Corps Iraq (XVIII Airborne Corps). Upon completion of his tour in the Middle East, he returned as the J-3, JFHQ TN. He was appointed the assistant adjutant general, Army, on May 6, 2008.

“Governor Bredesen could not have picked a more qualified person to command, train, mentor and serve with the outstanding and professional men and women of our Tennessee Guard,” said Hargett.

The Tennessee Army and Air National Guard stands at almost 17,000 officers and enlisted personnel. The Military Department oversees a total budget, including state and federal funds of over $400 million. The Adjutant General, a constitutional officer of the state appointed by the Governor, is responsible for the leadership and command of the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the Bureau of War Records.