Confidential Report Reveals String of Break-ins at Tennessee National Guard Armories, Raising Concerns Over Vulnerability to Theft and Insider Threats
A series of unreported incidents at Tennessee National Guard armories last autumn has added to growing concerns about the security vulnerabilities of US military facilities. The incidents, detailed in a confidential memo obtained by Wired, involve four break-ins over a seven-week period, resulting in theft and intrusion.
In one incident, high-value equipment such as night vision goggles, laser target locators, and thermal weapons sights were stolen. At other sites, fences were breached, alarms tripped, and supply rooms found unlocked upon investigation. Some evidence suggests that insider knowledge may have been used in these incidents.
The memo, intended for law enforcement use, does not confirm any weapon thefts. However, a government anti-terrorism coordinator is quoted as expressing concern over the stolen items being sensitive in nature and the indication of some insider knowledge needed for successful breach and theft.
The break-ins are currently under active investigation by the Pentagon’s Office of the Provost Marshal General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with the FBI leading the investigation. The FBI has declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
Years of FBI and Defense Department reporting have highlighted discussions among “domestic violent extremists” (DVEs) planning to raid armories for weapons and gear. This trend, combined with intelligence flagging violent militia members and racially motivated extremists as potential threats to armories, raises suspicions of organized activity.
Between 2020 and 2024, at least four FBI subjects have discussed raiding military facilities for heavy weapons, including .50-caliber firearms and machine guns. Three had confirmed military backgrounds, with one former Guard member identifying specific armories he had served in, detailing how to exploit their security measures. It is unclear whether any charges have been brought against these individuals.
Extremist chatter mentioned in the document echoes these ambitions. In early 2024, a militia-linked Telegram user proposed evaluating armory vulnerabilities with help from sympathetic firefighters and sought military or law enforcement recruits for inside information. Another case involved an active-duty tank commander claiming he could influence an armorer to provide weapons, while a former Air Force contractor discussed raiding a Guard facility to seize mortars and secure land.
