Putting people first! US Army in Japan leaders hold forum focusing on community quality of life, readiness

CAMP ZAMA, Japan - The commander of U.S. Army Japan hosted a forum with command teams and community leadership here Aug. 6 to share information and community updates to enhance the overall readiness and quality of life of the Soldiers, civilians and local national employees.

Maj. Gen. David Womack thanked command teams and Soldier/Family Readiness Groups leaders in attendance, telling them the Community Leader Information Forum was designed to be an inclusive, two-way conversation coordinated by the U.S. Army Garrison Japan's Directorate of Plans, Training and Mobilization and Security team.

"At the end of the day, this is about information and ensuring that we set the conditions to care for our organizations and our community," Womack said.

Womack emphasized the direct connection between information and readiness.

"Caring for our community enables us to be ready," Womack said.

He also encouraged attendees to ask questions and to start conversations about the issues they think need to be discussed based on their unit's needs.

The CLIF featured several briefings from various installation and garrison agencies, including USAG Japan's Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Emergency Services directorates, along with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.

Eric Hill, DMFWR director, explained how his organization offers qualify-of-life programs directly supporting readiness. He opened with a quick overview of the network of MWR programs and services offered over the next 90 days, ranging from Commander's Cup sporting events and live music at the community clubs, to community bazaars and fun runs.

Hill also spoke about the Warrior Adventure Quest program. He explained that the program started out as an Army RESET training tool designed to introduce Soldiers to post-deployment coping outlets but has evolved into a sustaining program that every unit can participate in annually to build resiliency.

The program combines high adventure activities with leader-led action debriefings as a comprehensive method to deal with the challenges Soldiers might be facing.

"This is completely free for your units," Hill explained.

Brittany Franklin, an MWR Army Community Service division chief, spoke about how the ACS team serves to facilitate commanders in providing comprehensive, standardized, coordinated and responsive services to support the entire community.

Franklin briefed the importance of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and invited the entire community to attend the following events:

· Proclamation Signing Ceremony: Oct. 1, from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Bldg. 102 second-floor large conference room

· Family Unity Night: Oct. 4, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Camp Zama Youth Center

· Strike Out Domestic Violence Bowling Night: Oct. 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Camp Zama Bowling Center

· Candlelight Vigil and Walk: Oct. 22, from 6 to 7 p.m. starting at the Torii Gate near Camp Zama's Gate 1 and Camp Zama Community Recreation Center

· Purple Pumpkin Event: Oct. 25, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Camp Zama Army Community Service building parking lot

Franklin also stressed that ACS teams would be conducting engagements across the installation, and she hoped to see as many people as possible wearing purple on Fridays in October to raise awareness.

"We want to spread awareness; to build a community," she said.

Capt. Elias Esparza, USAG Japan chief of police, discussed the importance of traffic safety and reminded everyone that installation day passes issued at the gate expire at midnight.

He also asked for help in reminding community residents about the current youth curfew, showing a slide that spelled out each category, including:

· Children under 7: Cannot be unsupervised, cannot be unaccompanied

· Children 7 to 9: Must be within sight of a guardian; curfew no later than 8 p.m.

· Children 10 to 12: Can be unsupervised up to four hours; curfew no later than 10 p.m.

· Children 13 to 15: Can be unsupervised up to six hours; curfew no later than 10:30 p.m.

· Children 16 to 18: Can be unsupervised with a curfew until 10:30 p.m. on school nights and midnight on weekends.

Esparza said the current curfew policy is being reviewed.

Col. Marcus Hunter, USAG Japan commander, added that community feedback would be incredibly important when reviewing the curfew.

"It's worth our attention as a community," he said.

Nick Cucinello, Camp Zama Army and Air Force Exchange general manager, explained some of the ongoing and future changes in the AAFES facilities.

He explained that the Taco Bell in the Sagamihara Express store building had closed, and that Hunt Brothers Pizza is now open for business.

Cucinello also said the Camp Zama Exchange's Power Zone will be upgraded, the military clothing store will be relocated to the Home and Garden Store, and the alterations shop will eventually be moved into the concession mall.

Billie Hogan, the MWR school liaison officer, closed out the forum with a discussion on back-to-school activities at Arnn Elementary School and Zama Middle High School.

She urged attendees to help make the first day of school special by being on-hand to cheer on students.

Hogan also provided information on other key school dates, including:

Aug. 15

· Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, AVID information and enrollment night from 5-7 p.m. at ZMHS

Aug. 16

· New Student and Parent Orientation: 11:30 a.m. to noon at Arnn

· Sneak Peek: Noon to 1 p.m. at Arnn

· New Student and Parent Orientation: 1 to 2 p.m. at ZMHS

· Sneak Peek: 2 to 3 p.m. at ZMHS

Aug. 17

· Unlocking the Lock to Middle School: 9 a.m. to noon at ZMHS

Aug. 19

· First day of school for kindergarten through fifth grade at Arnn, and sixth through 12th grade at ZMHS

Sept. 4

· First day of school for pre-kindergarten at Arnn

· Open House: 4 to 5 p.m. at Arnn

Sept. 5

· Open House: 5 to 7 p.m. at ZMHS

"Again - please come out and help us welcome our youth back to school," Hogan said.

During closing remarks at the end of the hourlong forum, Womack expressed his appreciation for the discussions and putting the focus on the families.

"This is time well spent," he said.

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