Category: Fort Knox

It is hard to believe we are more than half way through 2026 and that Cadet Summer Training is almost over. It is always inspiring to see future Army leaders march across Brooks Parade Field on graduation day. With 70% of all Army officers commissioning through ROTC, somewhere on that field may be a future Chief of Staff of the Army or even a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Regardless of their career journey, they will all have shared this formative experience at Fort Knox. 

Speaking of memorable experiences, what a treat it was to witness the awesome power of an Abrams Tank and a Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzer with Soldiers of the 1st Armored Division on Old Ironsides’ 86th birthday—a fitting tribute to Fort Knox’s rich Armor history. Our community’s participation in this live fire exercise, the Grantmakers of Kentucky visit to post, and our recognition from Silverleaf are all testaments to the partnerships we continue to forge between the community and Fort Knox. 

KRDA’s work to bring new missions to Fort Knox and protect the ones we currently have remains at the forefront of all we do. That includes advocacy for the Elizabethtown Airport expansion and added energy resilience and capacity on Fort Knox. We know investments in both can help make Fort Knox and the surrounding region even more competitive for growth opportunities and job creation.  As we look ahead to fourth quarter, we will continue to set the conditions for future growth and share what makes Fort Knox the installation of choice. 

Warm regards,

Brian Kerr
Board Chair

Col. (Ret) Lance O’Bryan
President/CEO

After language was added to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), plans to close any Army museums—including the Patton Museum of Leadership—have been put on hold. Per the NDAA, if the Army plans to close a museum, officials must now show lawmakers where its exhibits and artifacts will go, where its employees will land, and outreach to local groups who might take over the museum in a public-private partnership.

We are grateful to our congressional delegation who played a key role in incorporating that language to protect one of our most treasured tourism attractions that also educates future generations of Army leaders.

On the heels of that news, the Center of Military History mandated reduced hours at the museum. It will open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on the first and third Saturdays of each month during the same hours. The museum will remain closed on Sundays, Mondays, federal holidays, and the first Tuesday and second and fourth Saturdays of the month.

KRDA has shared those changes with our congressional leaders and will remain vigilant in our efforts to advocate for the museum’s long-term viability.

On the heels of a successful visit to Washington D.C., we kicked off 2026 with our annual investor meeting and as you can see from this newsletter, we haven’t stopped since. We always look for opportunities to showcase Fort Knox and the Greater Fort Knox region. Arming our partners and community leaders with knowledge and first-hand experiences is important too, because they also serve as ambassadors and advocates for Fort Knox.

Seeing the commitment to our military families with places like the Active Heroes Retreat Center reinforces just how special the Greater Fort Knox Region is. Never was it more evident than when one of our own, Staff Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, was recently laid to rest. The tremendous outpouring of support our community showed for this hometown hero and his family demonstrated the deep appreciation we all have for Soldiers and their families.

As summer approaches, thousands of college ROTC cadets will come to Fort Knox for Cadet Summer Training, the Army’s largest training event. It is not lost on us that these future Army officers may soon be in harm’s way leading Soldiers like Staff Sgt Pennington. It is a privilege to serve a community that is committed to keeping Fort Knox strong and doing all we can to support our military.

Warm regards,

Brian Kerr
Board Chair

Col. (Ret) Lance O’Bryan
President/CEO

In March, KDRA had the privilege of hosting Brigadier General Adam Smith as our guest speaker at our Lunch with a Fort Knox Leader Speakers Series. BG Smith is the 64th Adjutant General of the Army (TAG). The Adjutant General Directorate (TAGD) of U.S. Army Human Resources Command provides a vast array of personnel support and services to the 1.1 million Soldiers in the Army (Active, Guard and Reserve). 

Smith praised the 547 members of TAG workforce – military and civilian employees most of whom are at Fort Knox providing dedicated service to Soldiers, their families and our nation’s veterans.

It’s always great to learn about the various missions at Fort Knox and the impact they have across the Army. Thanks to everyone who joined us and thank you to BG Smith for taking time out of his schedule to speak to us.