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USAG Japan welcomes new commander for 88th, 901st Military Police detachments

By Leah SakamotoJanuary 21, 2025

USAG Japan welcomes new commander for 88th, 901st Military Police detachments
Col. Marcus Hunter, U.S. Army Garrison Japan commander, hands the unit guidon to Capt. Elias Esparza during a change-of-command ceremony for the 88th and 901st Military Police Detachments Jan. 8 at Kizuna Hall on Camp Zama, Japan. (Photo Credit: Kei Sasaki, U.S. Army Garrison Japan Visual Information Division) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP ZAMA, Japan – U.S. Army Garrison Japan welcomed a new commander for the 88th and 901st Military Police Detachments during a change-of-command ceremony Jan. 8 at Kizuna Hall here.

Capt. Elias Esparza, who had previously served as the Garrison’s chief of police, assumed command of the detachments from Capt. Sarah Baermann during the ceremony.

Col. Marcus Hunter, USAG Japan commander, welcomed Esparza into his new role and thanked Baermann for her leadership of the detachments.

“We are grateful for the presence, the patience, and the truly professional manner in which Captain Sarah Baermann has led our team as the detachment commander,” Hunter said.

He thanked Baermann for leading the 88th MP and 901st Military Working Dog detachments as they executed daily law enforcement responsibilities, trained and prepared for the broader U.S. Army Japan mission to respond to crises, ensured safety during multiple annual open-post events at Sagami General Depot and Yokohama North Dock, and supported the mission to protect U.S. government officials as they traveled through the Pacific.

Hunter said Baermann demonstrated her resolve and driving force even before she took command of the detachments with her effort to secure funding for new patrol vehicles.

After taking command, Baermann and her noncomissioned officers planned and helped increase individual and collective certification trainings, which were required after a continued growth in personnel.

Because of that hard work, Hunter said, the detachments have their “highest readiness ratings in two years.”

“Thank you, Sarah, for your example of positivity, willingness to do the hard things, and determination to press forward when the mission or circumstances are hard, but most especially for your cool consistency,” Hunter said. “Yours is a great example of leadership for all of us to follow. Well done, and rest easy as you leave command, knowing that you leave the detachment in good hands.”

Hunter then welcomed Esparza to his new role, acknowledging his experience with the detachment.

“During this past year, Captain Esparza has served as our chief of police and has been on the front line of the law enforcement mission,” Hunter said. “Elias, I counsel you to continue in your determination and drive to lead the detachment and our community.

“And remain consistent in your execution of the standards and your caring for our personnel and families,” he continued. “You have our full support and confidence, and we know you will maintain the readiness of our team and make us even sharper.”

During her final remarks, Baermann thanked her team for their hard work and cooperation.

“When I assumed command in 2023, I promised to pursue excellence and asked you to practice the same habit,” she said. “And you have.”

She praised her team for increasing military police participation in joint exercises, in training fellow reserve Soldiers to assist during a major U.S. Army in Japan exercise, and in progressing from individual to collective training to improve military police mission readiness.

“You practiced excellence in the everyday ways that allowed those other things to occur,” Baermann said. “You showed compassion and selfless service when assisting community members. I learned so much from all of you, but I think most importantly I think I relearned to enjoy doing my job again, and how to trust those around me.”

She thanked Hunter and other leaders for their mentorship and guidance, and the many other organizations for their support of the MP mission.

USAG Japan welcomes new commander for 88th, 901st Military Police detachments
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – From left, outgoing commander of the 88th and 901st Military Police Detachments, Capt. Sarah Baermann; U.S Army Garrison Japan Commander Col. Marcus Hunter; and incoming commander of the detachments, Capt. Elias Esparza, stand at attention during a change-of-command ceremony Jan. 8 at Kizuna Hall on Camp Zama, Japan. (Photo Credit: Kei Sasaki, U.S. Army Garrison Japan Visual Information Division) VIEW ORIGINAL
USAG Japan welcomes new commander for 88th, 901st Military Police detachments
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Elias Esparza salutes U.S. Army Garrison Japan Commander Col. Marcus Hunter after taking command of the 88th and 901st Military Police Detachments Jan. 8 at Kizuna Hall on Camp Zama, Japan. (Photo Credit: Kei Sasaki, U.S. Army Garrison Japan Visual Information Division) VIEW ORIGINAL

Esparza said he was honored to be the incoming commander, and thanked Baermann for her exceptional guidance and leadership to the unit.

“Your legacy will not be forgotten, and I will do my best to continue the foundation of excellence you have established,” he said.

He also spoke directly to the Soldiers he will command.

“My promise to you is to continue to pursue excellence in building and nurturing our team,” he said. “I am proud to join this team and to be part of Camp Zama and U.S. Army Japan’s rich history and tradition of excellence.”