a Word from the Adjutant General

Brig. Gen. Haldane B. Lamberton, Kentucky's Adjutant General

As the 53rd Adjutant General for the Kentucky National Guard, I’m genuinely honored to assume the responsibility and serve with the men and women of the Air & Army National Guard. In the past 19 years, post 9/11, we’ve grown as a reliable, responsible, and professional military force. With the quality of Airmen, Soldiers and Civilians we have in the Kentucky Guard, I’m proud to be with them.

Whether we are traditional or full time members of the KYNG, our family, friends, and neighbors know that we serve and look to us as representatives of the military. This is especially true during this time in our state and national response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. I’ve received numerous inquiries from family and friends, as I’m sure many of you have as well, asking about the National Guard’s involvement with the Commonwealth’s efforts to stem the spread of the contagion. While not all of us are medical experts, I believe we are looked to as a source of balance, safety, and security in our communities. That’s why we are sought out. So as some of our members respond through a variety of mission sets to meet the state and our community’s requests for aid, I ask that you be cognizant of how we present ourselves. We really do set an example for others to follow in our respective communities. Our professionalism and conduct, both in and out of uniform does have an impact on the others around us. How we present ourselves, how we communicate, and how we show respect to the public has a calming influence on them. This is a credit to each one of us as individuals and collectively to the Kentucky National Guard.

As we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond I ask that each of you look out for your own well-being. Each of us are just as vulnerable as the general population whether we are on a mission or at home. The preventative measures we can take are simple and easy. These include social distancing of 6 feet and avoiding handshakes and instead consider an elbow bump.  Demonstrate personal hygiene to include hand washing. The use of soap and water and a two-minute scrub of our hands before and after touching objects and after toileting is the primary means of reducing transmission.  Also, sneezing or coughing into the crook of our elbow and the use of hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available will all reduce spread of the virus. Remember these actions aren’t just to lessen your likelihood of contracting the virus but so that you do not spread it to others.  If you have a fever or other symptoms of illness, call in to your supervisor, stay home and contact your Primary Health Care provider.

Lastly, I want everyone to be wary of the rumor mill. It’s very easy for false and malicious rumors to be spread, especially in this environment of dealing with a pandemic which impacts on all of our lives. For any information you hear, always look to the source. Seek out credible information channels such as the military, a government website, or established news network. The information on most social media websites is not controlled or authenticated in anyway it has become a primary source of unfounded rumors.

Over the many years I have served in the military, I have come to realize just how many folks look to the National Guard as a source of stability and reassurance. When we face issues such as this pandemic, the need for reassurance and stability is even greater. So, again, I ask that each of you serve as leaders in your respective communities by virtue of how you present yourselves and show respect to others.

BE PROFESSIONAL. SET THE EXAMPLE.