New Fort Meade Garrison Commander: What Families Should Know

Col. Joshua Patton became the new commander of U.S. Army Garrison Fort George G. Meade on October 15, 2026, and he says supporting families and service members is his top priority. As someone who grew up in a military family, I know how much a garrison's focus on families matters, so here's a quick look at what he shared and what it means for military families living in or moving to Arbutus.

Who is Fort Meade's new garrison commander?

Col. Patton assumed command during a ceremony at Club Meade on Thursday, October 15. He is a career military intelligence officer from Lilburn, Georgia, who was commissioned through ROTC at the Florida Institute of Technology in 2004. His assignments include the 75th Ranger Regiment, 7th Special Forces Group, Joint Special Operations Command and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The Army's article on the change of command has the full story.

What did he say about military families?

"The priority is to make sure families and [service members] are supported for the mission," Col. Patton said. "Part of that readiness resides with them being comfortable, understanding that their needs are met on Fort Meade, and being able to integrate into the surrounding community."

I love that last part. Feeling at home in the community around the base is a big deal for military families, and it's something neighbors here in Arbutus do well.

Which family programs will continue?

Col. Patton said he plans to keep the momentum going on programs started under his predecessor, retired Col. Yolanda Gore.

Over his first 60 days, he plans to assess garrison operations, meet with tenant unit commanders and coordinate with local civic leaders and school boards.

How big is Fort Meade?

Fort Meade is the Army's second largest installation by population. It supports more than 64,000 employees from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Space Force, and hosts more than 120 partner agencies and commands, including U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency. You can find base news and services on the official Fort Meade website.

The ceremony also honored Brian Foley, a former garrison commander who led the post as deputy during the transition and departs in early November after more than 13 years of service at Fort Meade.

What does this mean for families moving to Arbutus?

Arbutus has easy highway access to BWI, Baltimore and the roads toward Fort Meade, so it's a natural fit for military families who want a hometown feel. My Work and Commute page shows how Arbutus connects to the major roads, and the Moving to Arbutus guide covers the basics. If you're a veteran or service member, the Baltimore County Veterans Day celebration on November 8 is a great way to meet neighbors, too.

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