Fort Meade's top cop retires after decades of service

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (May 3, 2012) -- For more than two years, Lt. Col. Howard T. Yates affected the life of every Fort Meade resident, employee and visitor.

As head of the Directorate of Emergency Services since January 2010, he oversaw the Department of the Army civilian police, Department of Fire and Emergency Services, military police working the roads and contract security guards. He also stopped a small crime spree, and worked on the transition of gate security from contract guards to DA guards and construction of a state-of-the-art access control point at Rockenbach Road.

After 28 years of military service, including a previous stint as Fort Meade's director of Emergency Services from 2004 to 2005, Yates officially retires June 30.

Lt. Col. J. Darrell Sides, former DES operations officer, took over as director April 1.

In recognition of his service, Yates was honored April 18 at a retirement luncheon at Club Meade hosted by DES and attended by family, friends and colleagues.

Wearing his dress blues, Yates summed up the essence of military service.

"You hear so much about the Army changing and trying to reinvent itself, to be relevant to our troops and training in modern warfare," said Yates, who resides in Reisterstown with his wife, Wanda, and their four children. "However, some things stay the same. What is most important are three elements: moral compass, love of country and being prepared to provide selfless service.

"If you have these elements, then serving will be a worthwhile endeavor. The bottom line is, it is not about glory and fame or getting rich. It is about taking care of people."

Sitting beside Yates at the official table were Sides, Deputy Installation Commander John Moeller, Fort Meade Police Chief Charles McGee, Yates' wife, their 3-year-old daughter Riley, Yates' mother Hilda Yates of Loch Raven and his mother-in-law Verdell Elliott of West Baltimore.

"Retirements are bittersweet," said Moeller, a retired lieutenant colonel and former volunteer firefighter. "We hate the farewells. We hate to see Howard go. We all know it's an end to a great military career, but also a start to a great second chapter. He will always be part of the Fort Meade family."

Fort Meade Fire Chief E.J. Rouvet, who emceed the event, praised Yates' service, which initially started in computers.

"How he went from an IT guy to a cop is beyond me," Rouvet said. "But he served in the most honorable field in the world -- as an MP with the United States military. The ribbons on his chest bring honor to himself and to others."

Rouvet, who called police and fire personnel "brothers of the badge," declared the event "Colonel Yates Day."

"We want him to know we are going to miss him terribly," he said.

Yates' position as DES director was not his first assignment on the installation. In 1999, he served as a computer systems officer and information systems security engineer for the 704th Military Intelligence Brigade.

Yates returned to Fort Meade in December 2003 as operations officer and deputy provost marshal for the Provost Marshal Office. Six months later, he became the provost marshal and director of Emergency Services until August 2005, helping to establish the DA civilian police force and stand up the DES as the umbrella organization for the police and fire departments.

The youngest of four, Yates grew up in his native Baltimore. His father, a Korean War veteran, died when he was 10.

After high school, Yates joined the Maryland Army National Guard in 1984. Five years later, he earned a computer science degree at Coppin State University, where he joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. In 1990, Yates returned to the military on active duty. In 2000, he earned a master's degree in management information systems at Bowie State University.

"I thought I was going to be a signal Soldier again," Yates said. "But I was selected as a MP by the Army when I was commissioned."

Subsequent assignments included serving as an MP in Panama and later as company commander with the 142nd MP Company in Korea; participating in pre-execution planning of Operation Iraqi Freedom with Joint Coalition Forces Land Component Command in Kuwait; chief of physical security and of the Law Enforcement Division for the Office of the Provost Marshal, U.S. Army Europe; and in Iraq with the Military Transition Team as commander of the 5th Division Iraqi Army MIT in 2009.

Throughout the two-hour luncheon, Yates was hailed for his dedication, particularly during the Base Realignment and Closure, which brought three agencies on post, more than 5,000 new employees and a dramatic increase in traffic volume on and off post.

"He came in right in the middle of BRAC," said McGee, who is also deputy director of DES. "He jumped in and got involved with all the plans, especially traffic and access control."

On behalf of the Fort Meade Police, Sides presented Yates with a carved portrait of Yates and a folded American flag encased in glass with military awards.

"We've been through a lot," Sides said. "Any Soldier will tell you they want two things from their leaders: an opportunity to do their job and top coverage. You let me do what I do. You gave me the resources I need. ... You brought me into the fold. ... Most commanders don't want to let anything go. But this man allowed a transition so seamless. He was the best commander I've had."

Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Smith presented Yates with an honorary fire helmet.

Dick Weaver, chief of physical security and force protection at the National Security Agency, gave Yates a black obelisk that "represents the solid relationship we enjoyed," he said.

"Howard has been a great friend, a great colleague. Beneath the veneer of a tough cop, he is a nerd -- a computer nerd. I won't be surprised to see you coming to my house with the Geek Squad to fix my stuff. ... We've had a great run together. We're going to miss you."

Anne Arundel County Police Maj. Tom Wilson, who presented Yates with the Chief's Recognition Award, spoke of the "fantastic" partnership between the county and DES. "It's the best relationship the county has ever had with Fort Meade," he said. "This is complimentary to your leadership."

Throughout the event, Yates was credited for providing support. "We always had the resources we needed to do our job effectively," Fort Meade Fire Capt. John Ruth said. "He was an absolute pleasure to work for. We're sorry to see him go."

Michelle Kennedy, the youngest of Yates' three older sisters, spoke for the family. "He came from a family of women, raised by women," said Kennedy, who resides in Parkville. "When he arrived, he came with expectations. [He] exceeded our expectations. He lives an exemplary life. We are very proud."

After the presentations, Yates took the podium to offer thanks to the current and former garrison leadership, DES staff and directorates. "Thank you for the trust and faith you had in me," he said. "I hope I kept that bond of trust. I hope I was able to supply the help you needed. ...

"To my fellow directors at Meade, the time shared and friendship forged is incredible. ... I'm proud of all of our achievements and I will never forget that. To all the DES staff -- past and present -- you guys are wonderful. ... I've had a great time. Yes, I was a geek. I am still a geek."

But there were moments, he said, when he considered leaving the Army.

"Then a new challenge came along, and like a shiny coin, I would become entranced and I would see if I could solve the problem," he said. "But there are no more shiny coins coming along as a Soldier. It's a sad time; I'm doing it because I have to. I have old knees and an old back. I will be riding off into the proverbial sunset."

Yates ended his speech as he started -- with gratitude.

"To all the wonderful people, thank you," he said. "It's been a blast."

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