Tenn. Code Ann. § 58-1-303: Election and appointment of officers

All officers of the militia exercising command of line units shall be elected by ballot, and the governor, immediately upon calling the militia to active duty, shall issue appropriate rules and regulations for such elections, and appoint such number of staff officers in proper grades as may be required by the militia; provided, that persons eligible for commissions in the militia shall be the same as provided for the national guard.