Colonel Thomas S. Rickard
Garrison Commander
Colonel Tom Rickard was commissioned in the Regular Army as an Infantry officer in 1990 through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta. His initial assignment was with the 1-502nd Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Fort Campbell, Ky, serving successively as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Weapons Platoon Leader, Scout Platoon Leader, and Assistant Operations Officer.
In 1995, Rickard served in the 1-506th Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Greaves, Republic of Korea as Battalion Logistics Officer and Rifle Company Commander. Following company command, he taught tactics and leadership at the University of North Alabama and later served as an observer/controller and maneuver planner.at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La., from 2000-2002.
After graduating from Command and General Staff College in 2003, Colonel Rickard served in the 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Casey, Republic of Korea, as Battalion Executive Officer. He returned from Korea to Fort Lewis, Wash., in 2004 and deployed to Mosul, Iraq, initially serving as the Chief of Plans for Task Force Olympia (I Corps) and later as Battalion Operations Officer, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker). After redeployment, he continued to serve as Battalion S-3 as the brigade re-flagged to become the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. He deployed with the Regiment in 2006 to Rose Barracks, Germany and served as Squadron Executive Officer for 3rd Squadron.
As a Lieutenant Colonel, he served the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment as the Regimental Rear Detachment Commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) from 2007-09. After leaving Germany, Colonel Rickard commanded 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light) from 2009 - 2012, including a deployment to Wardak, Afghanistan from October 2010 - 2011. Following command, Rickard served as Deputy Commander to the Commanding General, JRTC and Fort Polk. After graduating from Senior Service College at the Joint Advanced Warfighting School in Norfolk, Va., Rickard was assigned as Chief of Plans for the United States Special Operations Command, Tampa, Fla. He recently returned from deployment to Afghanistan where he served the Resolute Support Mission as the Director of Information Operations from July 2015 until June 2016.
Colonel Rickard is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms Staff Services’ School, Command and General Staff College, Joint Advanced Warfighting School, Ranger School, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Infantry Mortar Leaders’ Course, Bradley Leaders’ Course, and the Battalion Maintenance Officers’ Course. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech; a Master’s of Science and Administration in Human Resources from Central Michigan University; and a Master’s of Science in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy from National Defense University.
His awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Ranger Tab, Parachutist’s Badge, Air Assault Badge, Valorous Unit Award (2), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star medal (3), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (7), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal (2), Afghan Campaign Medal(3), Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Korean Defense Service Medal.
Meet the New Commander
The Public Affairs team sat down for an in-depth interview with Col. Thomas S. Rickard, Fort Meade's new garrison commander, to introduce him to the community.
To read the complete interview, Click Here
