Joint Force Headquarters

This is the official webpage of the Kentucky Army National Guard Joint Force Headquarters.

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JFHQ NEWS

Kentucky National Guard officer promoted to colonel
June 12, 2026 — Lt. Col. Michael Sharp was promoted to the rank of colonel during an April 24 ceremony, marking more than 25 years of service in the Kentucky Army National Guard. As the state's director of logistics, Sharp oversees efforts to ensure Guard units are equipped and prepared for both state emergencies and federal missions. He credited his leadership development to the Soldiers and noncommissioned officers he has served alongside and emphasized that caring for Soldiers and supporting their growth remain his top priorities. Sharp also highlighted the National Guard's commitment to serving Kentucky communities and maintaining readiness for missions at home and abroad... MORE

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael Sharp is pinned with his new rank by his wife and his mother during a promotion ceremony at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, April 24.

Auditorium Dedicated in Honor of Former Kentucky General
June 11, 2026 — The Kentucky Department of Military Affairs honored the legacy of Brig. Gen. Larry C. Barker by dedicating an auditorium in his name at Boone National Guard Center on June 4. The ceremony brought together family, friends, and state officials to celebrate Barker's nearly five decades of distinguished military and civilian service to the commonwealth... MORE

During the event, the auditorium adjacent to Wellman Armory was officially dedicated as the Brig. Gen. Larry C. Barker Auditorium, recognizing Barker’s decades of distinguished service and leadership within the Kentucky National Guard and the commonwealth.

Kentucky Youth ChalleNGe cadets compete in intrastate field training exercise
June 2, 2026 — Cadets from Kentucky’s Appalachian and Bluegrass Youth ChalleNGe academies recently competed in a two-day intrastate field training exercise at the Harold L. Disney Training Center in Artemus, testing teamwork, leadership and program skills. The event featured athletic and academic competitions including softball, flag football, chess, a spelling bee, land navigation and an obstacle course. The exercise is designed to showcase cadets’ development and build confidence through friendly competition, and they plan to make it a recurring tradition held once per training cycle... MORE

Cadets from Kentucky’s Bluegrass and Appalachian Youth ChalleNGe Academies participate in athletic and academic competitions during the Kentucky Youth ChalleNGe Intrastate Field Training Exercise at the Harold L. Disney Training Center in Artemus, May 13-14.

Kentucky National Guard community recognized during Heroes Day at Keeneland
April 30, 2026 — Volunteers, youth leaders and family support staff with the Kentucky National Guard were recognized during Heroes Day at Keeneland Race Course April 12... MORE

Pictured here is the winner’s circle after Race 1, featuring our dedicated Volunteers, Kentucky Teen Council members, and Family Programs staff—all of whom play a vital role in supporting our Soldiers and their families.

Kentucky National Guard hosts job shadow event in Bardstown
March 31, 2026 — The Kentucky National Guard hosted a job shadow event for ten local high school students at the National Guard Armory in Bardstown on March 24. Organized by the Recruiting and Retention Battalion and Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery, the event provided students with a firsthand look at military careers such as combat medicine, field artillery, signal support, and equipment maintenance through interactive stations... MORE

Students don protective masks during a timed event to apply Mission-Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) gear during a cumulative skills challenge at a job shadow event in Bardstown, Kentucky, March 24.

Kentucky surpasses expectations through ‘KEEP’, a non-traditional National Guard recruiting program
March 18, 2026 — In response to nationwide recruiting struggles, the Kentucky National Guard has implemented a successful new strategy. The Kentucky Enlistment Enhancement Program (KEEP) incentivizes its own Soldiers and Airmen—not professional recruiters—to find new enlistees. This approach has proven highly effective, bringing more than 600 new members into the Kentucky force since its inception in February 2023... MORE

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Withers, Kentucky's state command sergeant major, presents a check to Pfc. Iram Sosa during a ceremony at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Nov. 19, 2025. The presentation is part of the Kentucky Enlistment Enhancement Program, an initiative that pays Soldiers for enlistments that they refer to the Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Milt Spalding)

‘You’re rock stars’: Military kids honored at state Capitol
February 26, 2026 — More than 100 children of military families gathered at the Capitol Annex in Frankfort Thursday, Feb. 19, for the annual Military Kids Day... MORE

The event was hosted by Kentucky Senate joined along with Mrs. Karen Lamberton, wife of the Adjutant General–Kentucky, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Hal Lamberton, whose continued support of Guard families helps make opportunities like this possible.

Oldham County students gain hands-on medical experience during visit to Boone Center
January 13, 2026 — The Kentucky National Guard hosted a medical-focused recruiting open house at Boone National Guard Center, welcoming nearly 200 students in the Nursing, Biomedical and Sports Medicine program from the Arvin Education Center and offering them an inside look at medical career opportunities and pathways available through service in the Guard... MORE

The students visited from Oldham County to explore military careers the medical field.

Recruiters sign mission commitments for upcoming fiscal year
November 22, 2025 — Leaders from the Kentucky National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion signed recruiting mission commitments for the upcoming fiscal year at Joint Force Headquarters, Sept. 30, 2025... MORE

The signed commitments set on the table during the Recruiting and Retention Battalion’s signing of mission commitments for FY26 at Joint Force Headquarters, Sept. 30, 2025

Two Kentucky Guardsmen Reach World CrossFit Finals, Embody Army’s H2F Principles
September 30, 2025 — Two Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers, Col. Eddie Simpson and 1st Lt. Erik Thomas, competed in the 2025 World CrossFit Games Finals in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 21–24, showcasing peak fitness and championing the Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness program to improve Soldier readiness and lethality... MORE

1st Lt. Erik Thomas competes during the 2025 CrossFit Games

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