Incoming commander Capt. Mickael Nunez provides remarks during the 488th Military Police Company’s change of command ceremony in Waterville Feb. 5. Seated from left are Chaplain Phillip Dow, Capt. Garrett Clark and Lt. Col. Rob Bell, commander of the 286th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. Photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Arrants

WATERVILLE — The 488th Military Police Company held a change of command ceremony Feb. 5 at the unit’s armory, in which Capt. Garrett Clark handed over command to Capt. Mickael Nunez.

“I cannot think of a better officer to lead the 488th through whatever challenges may lie ahead as the unit reintegrates back into the state from its recent mobilization. They will rely heavily on Capt. Nunez’s leadership skills and civilian law enforcement experience to build an even stronger military police company,” Clark said of Nunez, according to a news release from Maj. Carl Lamb, public affairs officer with the Maine National Guard.

Nunez thanked his predecessor for passing the torch, and for sharing knowledge that Clark has learned through his three years as the unit’s commander.

“I have spent most of my time in the military with the 488th,” said Nunez. “From the beginning, the soldiers have never stopped showing me the beauty that there is in service for this country and state. They take tremendous pride in what we do and who we serve. I’ve been extremely fortunate to be taken under their wing and have developed as a soldier and as a person. The people of the 488th bring out the best in me, and it is my great wish that I can return the tremendous care back to them that they have shown me. There’s never been a more important responsibility than this in my life.”

Nunez began his military career in 2014 when he attended basic training and officer candidate school after receiving his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hope College in 2011. In 2015, upon completing the Military Police Officer Basic Course, he was assigned as the platoon leader for 2nd Platoon, 488th Military Police Company, and later became the company executive officer.

Nunez transferred to the 120th Regional Support Group in 2020 where he was promoted to captain. He transferred to the 286th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion in 2021 as an assistant operations officer. Last May Nunez became the officer-in-charge for the 488th’s rear detachment while the unit was deployed.

In his civilian capacity, Nunez is a trooper with the Maine State Police.

Clark began his military career as a cadet enrolled at Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2009. He transferred to Husson University in 2010 and commissioned through the University of Maine ROTC program. Clark’s previous military assignments include platoon leader for the 488th Military Police Company, plans officer for the 286th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, and assistant provost marshal at Joint Force Headquarters in Augusta.

Capt. Garrett Clark, center, is presented with a unit guidon from the Soldiers of the 488th MP Company. To his left is unit 1st Sgt. Joseph Schools, and to his right is Sgt. Garrett Robson. Photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Arrants

In 2019, Clark deployed to Poland in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, where he served as a plans officer for the 286th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.

Most recently, Clark lead the unit through its 13-month mobilization to the Southwest Border. He works full time as the Associate Professor of Military Science with the University of Maine ROTC Program.

The 488th Military Police Company is comprised of 145 soldiers who support local, state, and federal missions by providing combat support functions and capabilities. The unit returned from a federal Title 10 mobilization in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection last November. During this mobilization, the 488th assisted CBP in surveillance functions and relaying critical information to law enforcement authorities.

The unit previously supported District of Columbia authorities following the 2021 Presidential Inauguration, and deployed to Afghanistan in 2012.

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