Col. Yolanda Gore relinquished command of Fort George G. Meade this week, closing out a two-year tenure as the first Black woman to lead the Anne Arundel County installation in its 109-year history. But the handoff didn't go as planned: Col. Sunny Keuhl had been announced as Gore's successor, only for the Army to modify those plans without explanation on the morning of the transfer ceremony, installing retired Col. Brian Foley as interim commander instead.
Gore's departure was first detailed by The Baltimore Banner, which reported that the U.S. Army Installation Management Command had announced Keuhl — who had worked as vice deputy director of analysis and warning on the J2 Joint Staff Intelligence — would become Fort Meade's 90th garrison commander. Instead, Foley, who commanded Fort Meade from 2013 to 2016 and later served as Gore's deputy, stepped in on an interim basis starting Thursday. The Army did not respond to a request for comment on why the switch occurred, according to the Banner.
Chad Jones, who has spent 18 years at Fort Meade, told the outlet he had never seen such a last-minute change in garrison commanders and said he could not comment further on it. The unresolved question of what prompted the switch — and whether it was connected to broader Pentagon personnel decisions — remains open.
A Pattern Beyond Fort Meade
Gore's abrupt exit follows a string of Pentagon actions under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that have altered the trajectories of female officers. In June, Hegseth personally stripped nine Navy officers — including three female and two Black officers — from a board-approved promotion list to rear admiral, resulting in an all-male nominee slate, according to The Guardian. That same month, per Just Security, Hegseth also blocked or delayed promotion lists for senior Air Force officers while ordering reductions of up to 20 percent in general and flag officer positions across the military.
The Banner also reported that Hegseth has blocked flag promotions for women officers more broadly, and that he plans to order women in combat roles to meet the highest male standard, having said he believes women should not serve in combat roles at all. Hoodline previously reported on a similar last-minute reversal in November, when Hegseth revoked promotion orders for a decorated Navy captain who was set to become the first woman to lead a Navy SEALs command, ending her promotion weeks before her own change-of-command ceremony. In May, the Army also cited new Pentagon directives when it declined to field a female color guard at a Cincinnati park dedication honoring women veterans.
Two Years of Building at Maryland's Largest Employer
Fort Meade is Maryland's largest employer, supporting more than 50,000 people on post and hosting the U.S. Cyber Command, the National Security Agency, and the Army Field Band, according to the Banner's reporting. During her tenure, Gore oversaw the installation's operations and management, improved services on post, and expanded Fort Meade's reach into surrounding Maryland communities even as the base weathered significant federal policy changes and funding lapses, including staff reductions and an ongoing hiring freeze.
Her accomplishments included overseeing construction of the Freedom Center IV barracks and breaking ground on Child Development Center V, a $26 million facility designed to accommodate 232 children, according to the Army's DVIDS account of her tenure. She also established Maryland's first Intergovernmental Support Agreement with the University of Maryland, a first-of-its-kind workforce development partnership, and launched new internship programs with Anne Arundel County Public Schools, which operates seven schools inside Fort Meade's boundaries.
Community Ties Praised by Local Leaders
Gore strengthened partnerships with local businesses, legislators, and Anne Arundel County Public Schools throughout her command, according to the Banner. Tim O'Ferrall, who has led the Fort Meade Alliance for more than 15 years, said Gore was unusually involved with the broader community — the alliance supports service families and acts as a liaison between the base and civilians.
Gina Stewart, who co-chairs the Fort Meade Community Covenant Council, an organization that strengthens resources for people around the base, said it was inspiring to have a woman commander. Under Gore, Fort Meade also bolstered child care on the base, a priority reflected in the Child Development Center V groundbreaking earlier this year.
Gore's tenure was also marked historically in June, when Fort Meade unveiled a new garrison commanders board honoring the post's 89 previous leaders during a Freedom 250 ceremony attended by six living former commanders, including both Gore and Foley, according to Army.mil. Army garrison commanders function essentially as city managers, overseeing municipal infrastructure, public safety, school partnerships, and civil services across base property, according to the Installation Management Command Directorate-Sustainment. Gore, who served roughly 30 years in the Army, plans to retire on December 1.
