Mark Green (Tennessee politician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mark Green
Official portrait, 2019
Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee
In office January 9, 2023 – July 20, 2025
Preceded by	Bennie Thompson
Succeeded by	Andrew Garbarino
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 7th district
In office January 3, 2019 – July 20, 2025
Preceded by	Marsha Blackburn
Succeeded by	Vacant
Member of the Tennessee Senate from the 22nd district
In office January 8, 2013 – November 1, 2018
Preceded by	Tim Barnes
Succeeded by	Rosalind Kurita
Personal details
Born	Mark Edward Green (1964-11-08) November 8, 1964 (age 60) Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Camilla Guenther ​ ​ (m. 1989; sep 2024)​
Children	2
Education	United States Military Academy (BS) University of Southern California (MA) Wright State University (MD)
Website
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1986–2006
Rank	Major
Battles/wars	Afghanistan War Iraq War Operation Red Dawn
Awards	Bronze Star Meritorious Service Medal Army Commendation Medal Army Achievement Medal Air Medal with valor (2) Combat Medical Badge Air Assault Badge Flight Surgeon Badge Ranger Tab Senior Parachutist Badge

Mark Edward Green (born November 8, 1964) is an American politician, doctor, and retired U.S. Army surgeon. He was a U.S. representative for Tennessee's 7th district from 2019 to 2025. As a member of the Republican Party, Green was the chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security.

Before joining Congress, Green served in the Tennessee Senate from 2013 to 2018. He graduated from the West Point and later became an Army flight surgeon, a doctor who cares for pilots and crews. He served in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He was present during Operation Red Dawn, the mission that captured former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

After leaving the military, Green became the CEO of a company that provides staff for hospital emergency rooms. In 2018, he was elected to the U.S. Congress. On July 20, 2025, he resigned from Congress to work in the private sector.

Military Career

Mark Green graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1986. He then served as an infantry officer in the United States Army. He was a platoon leader at Fort Knox and later a company commander with the famous 82nd Airborne Division.

After his father's life was saved by doctors, Green was inspired to go to medical school. The Army sent him to the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University. He graduated in 1999 and became an emergency medicine doctor. He was then chosen to be a flight surgeon for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, an elite helicopter unit.

As a flight surgeon, Green served in the Afghanistan War and the Iraq War. He was part of Operation Red Dawn, the mission that captured Saddam Hussein. Green was with Hussein for six hours after his capture. He later wrote a book about this experience called A Night With Saddam.

Green was honorably discharged from the Army in 2006. He earned many awards for his service, including the Bronze Star and the Air Medal for bravery.

Life Outside of the Military

After his military service, Green started a company called Align MD. This company helps find staff for emergency departments in hospitals across the country.

Green also started the Two Rivers Medical Foundation. This charity organizes medical mission trips to provide healthcare to people in need around the world. It also runs free medical clinics in Tennessee.

He has served on the boards of several companies and community groups, including the Middle Tennessee Boy Scouts of America.

Political Career

Tennessee State Senate

In 2012, Green was elected to the Tennessee Senate. One of his most famous laws was ending Tennessee's Hall Income Tax, which was a tax on income from investments. He also helped pass a law to remove the time limit for solving certain serious crimes using DNA evidence.

Green was reelected in 2016. During his time as a state senator, he was known for supporting veterans and small businesses.

Nomination for U.S. Army Secretary

In 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Green to be the United States Secretary of the Army. This is the top civilian leader of the U.S. Army.

However, Green faced criticism for some of his past public statements. Because of the controversy, he decided to withdraw his name from consideration for the position in May 2017.

U.S. House of Representatives

After Representative Marsha Blackburn decided to run for the U.S. Senate in 2018, Green announced he would run for her seat in Congress. He won the election in November 2018 and was re-elected in 2020, 2022, and 2024.

In 2021, Green and other members of Congress were criticized for missing votes in Washington, D.C. They said they were absent because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they were actually at a political conference.

In 2024, Green was chosen to be on a special committee to investigate the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.

On June 9, 2025, Green announced he was resigning from Congress. His last day was July 20, 2025.

Committees and Caucuses

As a member of Congress, Green served on several important committees:

• Committee on Homeland Security (He was the Chairman)
• Committee on Foreign Affairs

He was also a member of many groups in Congress, called caucuses, including:

• Freedom Caucus
• Republican Study Committee
• GOP Doctor's Caucus
• Military Veterans Caucus

Political Views

Green (left) at the CPAC in 2022

Climate Change

Green has said he is not sure that the science proves that rising carbon dioxide levels are causing global warming. He believes that cutting down forests, especially in places like Brazil, is a major problem that could harm the planet.

Creationism

Green does not accept the scientific theory of evolution. In a 2015 speech, he shared ideas based on creationism, which is the belief that the universe and life were created by a divine being.

2020 Election

In 2019, Green voted against the first impeachment of Donald Trump. In 2020, he joined other Republicans in supporting a lawsuit that tried to challenge the results of the 2020 United States presidential election. The Supreme Court did not hear the case.

Vaccines

In 2018, Green repeated a claim that there might be a link between vaccines and autism. This idea has been proven false by many scientific studies and is rejected by major medical groups.

Personal Life

Green and his wife, Camie, have two children. They lived in Ashland City, Tennessee for many years before moving to Clarksville. In August 2024, Green filed for a divorce from his wife.

Electoral History