Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
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Brig. Gen. Stephen Hogan passes the flag of the 238th Regiment to Col. Haldane Lamberton, the new commander of the unit during a change of command ceremony at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., Sept. 7, 2013. Lamberton took over from outgoing commander Col. William A. Denny. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
GREENVILLE, Ky. -- Col. Haldane Lamberton assumed command of the 238th Regimental Training Institute from the outgoing commander, Col. William A. Denny at a change-of-command ceremony at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., Sept. 7, 2013.
Brig. Gen. Stephen Hogan, Assistant Adjutant General for Training, oversaw the ceremony, as family members and friends and Soldiers of the 238
th said a final goodbye to the outgoing commander.
Under Denny's command the 238th RTI was accredited as an institute of excellence, taking full advantage of the growing and award-winning Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center. Denny said he set goals for his time in charge of the regiment and believes major progress was made toward the future success of the 238th and the Kentucky Guard.
"What we did together here the last 21 months will continue to affect the Kentucky National Guard a generation from now," said Denny.
"I know the 238th is up to the challenge of continuing it's excellence. And no matter what capacity I continue to serve the Kentucky National Guard, I pledge that I will do all I can to help you continue that mission."
To see more photos from the ceremony, click here.
Lamberton assumed this command in addition to his full-time position as Director of Human Resources for the Kentucky Guard.
"I very much appreciate the opportunity of being a part of the 238th," said Lamberton. "From my perspective, the 238th really is the lifeline, or bloodline of the Kentucky National Guard."
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Col. Haldane Lamberton speaks during a change of command ceremony in Greenville, Ky., Sept. 7, 2013. Lamberton assumed command of the 238th Regiment which overseas training for the Kentucky National Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
The new commander spoke of the regiment's important role as the place to help leaders grow and how it addresses the needs of officers, warrant officers and noncommissioned officers. Lamberton called 238th an exchange program of sorts, bringing in quality Soldiers with years of experience from various units in Kentucky to train the new Soldiers of those units and then return with instructor knowledge. A revolving door of training, experience and leadership.
"The real dynamic of this unit is the ability to help shape the future of our Guard," he said. "If you are part of the unit today, you grooming the future leadership, leadership that will be in place twenty or thirty years from now."
"It's not about Hal Lamberton," he said. "It's the effort of the cadre here, and its because of their efforts you see the future of the Kentucky Guard. Colonel Denny has built the unit up to a level where it previously was not, and we aim to take it from where it is and build upon it."
The 238th Regiment is made up of the 1st Field Artillery Battalion, the 2nd Modular Training Battalion and the Regimental Headquarters, all based out of the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky.
To read more about the 238th Regimental Training Institute, click here.