Mr. Davis D. Tindoll, Jr. welcomes COL Michael A. Sapp, the 88th garrison commander of Fort George G. Meade.
Col. Michael A. Sapp assumed command as the 88th garrison commander of Fort George G. Meade from Col. Christopher M. Nyland in a July 27, 2022 ceremony.
Col. Sapp now leads the largest employer in the state of Maryland and the Army’s second largest installation based on population, with over 63,000 employees representing each branch of military service and approximately 11,000 residents.
“I am absolutely thrilled about the opportunity and I look forward to serving with so many passionate and gifted professionals while serving the defenders of our nation and the friends and families of Fort George G. Meade,” Col. Sapp said.
Col. Sapp recently served as the Deputy National Security Agency/Central Security Service Representative to U.S. Central Command. Prior to this, he commanded the 297th Military Intelligence Battalion (Operations) at Fort Gordon, George, before attending the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa.
FMA President Joe Pacileo (far right) attended FGGM’s Change of Command ceremony to welcome COL Michael A. Sapp.
A Kansas native, Col. Sapp was commissioned in the U.S. Army, Military Intelligence Corps, with a branch detail to Armor upon graduation in 1999 from the United States Military Academy. Col. Sapp holds a Bachelor of Computer Science Engineering from the United States Military Academy, a Master of Information Management from the University of Maryland, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Col. Nyland’s next duty assignment will be as the executive officer to the president of National Defense University in Washington, D.C.
“It wasn’t until I reported here to Fort Meade that I first came to understand the real meaning of home, of community,” Col. Nyland remarked. “Here, I learned that home isn’t just about your immediate family. It’s about the community and how that community comes together for the betterment of all.”
Col. Christopher M. Nyland.
Maj. Gen. Allan Pepin, Commanding General, Military District of Washington and Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region provided opening remarks, reflecting on Col. Nyland’s time as the garrison commander.
“Col. Nyland’s command began two years ago in an extremely challenging time in our Army, across the nation, and frankly globally,” Maj. Gen. Pepin said in reference to the COVID-19 pandemic. “During this challenging time, Chris led his command and risk mitigation that included adapting to telework operations, a very intricate process given the mission of the intelligence, information and cyber community here. He accomplished this while meeting the numerous requirements of running, sustaining, protecting and planning garrison operations for the future.”
Those who attended today’s ceremony included Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, Maryland State Delegate Michael J. Rogers, and several congressional staffers and military leaders.
Mr. Davis D. Tindoll, Jr., director of U.S. Army Installation Management Command, Sustainment Directorate, presided over the ceremony and passed the garrison flag from Col. Nyland to Col. Sapp, symbolizing the farewell of one commander and the welcoming of a new one.
“Michael, I’m certain that you will build on the successes of your predecessors,” Tindoll said. “The challenges are many, but I am confident that you will bring great energy and excellence to this installation.”
