Tennessee Code Title 58. Military Affairs, Emergencies and Civil Defense § 58-1-116

(a) The adjutant general shall be chief of staff to the governor and subordinate only to the governor in matters pertaining to the military department and the military and naval affairs of the state.

(b) It shall be the duty of the adjutant general to direct the planning and employment of the military forces of the state in carrying out their state military mission; to establish unified command of state forces whenever they shall be jointly engaged; to coordinate the military and naval affairs with the civil defense of the state. The adjutant general shall be custodian of all military records and shall keep the same indexed and available for ready reference. The adjutant general shall keep an itemized account of all moneys received and disbursed from all sources and shall make a biennial report to the governor on the condition of the military department and the military forces of the state, together with such other matters relating to the military department, as the adjutant general shall deem expedient, or as may be directed by the governor. The adjutant general shall cause the laws and regulations relating to the military department to be distributed to all military forces of the state. The adjutant general shall further perform such duties pertaining to the adjutant general's office as from time to time may be provided by the laws, rules and regulations of the United States and such as may be designated by the governor.

(c) The adjutant general shall have a seal of office approved by the governor and all copies and papers in the military department, duly certified and authenticated under such seal shall be evidence in like manner as if the original were produced.

(d) Whenever the governor and those in succession to the governor under the constitution and laws of the state shall be unable to perform the duties of commander in chief, such duties shall devolve upon the adjutant general.