Draft:Adjutant General of Kentucky

The Adjutant General of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, also known as The Adjutant General, is the head of the Kentucky National Guard. Established in 1793, the adjutant general is appointed by the Governor of Kentucky to a term that expires alongside that of the appointing governor.

The current adjutant general is Major General Haldane B. Lamberton, who was appointed by Governor Andy Beshear on December 10, 2019.

Formation
The first constitution of Kentucky, ratified in April 1792, named the Governor of Kentucky as commander-in-chief of the army, navy, and militia of the commonwealth unless they are called into national service. It also granted the governor the authority to appoint field and staff officers of the militia. This provision predated the passage of the Militia Acts of 1792 by only a few weeks, which granted the President of the United States the authority to summon state militias into federal service.

While the exact date is unknown, Governor Isaac Shelby appointed Percival Pierce Butler as Kentucky's first adjutant general. The first official act taken by General Pierce is recorded to have been in March 1793.

Political post
From its inception until the American Civil War, the post of adjutant general was considered more of a political rather than military appointed office. Governor John L. Helm appointed John Marshall Harlan to the position at the age of 18 despite the fact that he had no prior experience serving in public office, and his only military experience was "drilling" for the Mexican–American War.

Civil War

 * Scott Brown
 * John William Finnell
 * John Boyle
 * Daniel Weisinger Lindsey

Assassination of Governor Goebel

 * Taylor v. Beckham

Modern office
The Governor of Kentucky still serves as commander-in-chief of all Kentucky armed forces, however nearly all decisions are made by the adjutant general. Following the first world war, appointments to the office of adjutant general became more merit based.

Beginning with the promotion of Adjutant General Roscoe L. Murray in 1950, all future adjutants general would automatically be commissioned as a major general.

Appointment and qualifications
Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 36, Section 020 stipulates that hat the governor must appoint an adjutant general immediately upon taking office. For the appointee to be eligible for the position they must have:


 * Served at least 10 years in the Kentucky National Guard;
 * Have attained the rank of lieutenant colonel;
 * Have not been separated from the Kentucky National Guard for more than five years;
 * Meet the federal requirements for their current rank as well as the ranks of brigadier general and major general.