FRANKFORT, Ky. –
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton, Kentucky’s adjutant general, addressed participants of the Strategic Broadening Seminar (SBS) at the Kentucky Historical Society, which was hosted by the McConnell Center Civic Education Program Aug. 28, 2025.
The SBS cohort, comprised of Soldiers from a variety of backgrounds, is designed to introduce participants to strategic planning, policy formulation and non-traditional problem-solving. The seminar is one of several professional development opportunities offered under the Army’s Broadening Opportunities Program.
The day's theme focused on leading during divisive and challenging times. Earlier in the day, participants met with Kentucky state officials before convening at the historical society for a discussion with Lamberton.
Lamberton spoke about organizational leadership, emphasizing the importance of strong relationships and building strategic partnerships—particularly through the National Guard State Partnership Program.
He highlighted several examples of the National Guard’s "mil-to-mil" relationships with armed forces in partner nations. These partnerships have enabled the Department of War to strengthen international cooperation across economic, diplomatic and intelligence domains.
“Leadership at the strategic level is less about direct leadership, and more about building consensus,” said Lamberton. “It’s not just Kentucky and the U.S. Military bringing knowledge and training, it’s a true partnership where we learn from each other.”
The Kentucky National Guard has partnerships with Ecuador and Djibouti and regularly engages in information exchanges, not only improving security cooperation and interoperability, but also building the capacity of partner countries to face new challenges as they emerge.
“Our ability to build strong relationships, trust, and mutual understanding with our partners also enables the Department of War to reach out to other countries around the world where we don’t necessarily have a military presence, but because of our relationships, can lay the foundation for a presence, or some type of strategic advantage.”
The SBS is a month-long, graduate-level program hosted by the McConnell Center at the University of Louisville and focuses on historical and philosophical concepts of leadership and war, while approaching 21st-century challenges.