USAG Japan marks first year of new and improved orientation program

CAMP ZAMA, Japan - U.S. Army Garrison Japan recently wrapped up the first year of its bimonthly new team member orientation program that aims to provide new employees with a better understanding of how they fit into the organization.

The one-day program, hosted by the Directorate of Human Resources, also allows garrison leaders to personally meet with new hires before they receive an in-depth look at the directorates in the garrison.

Corey Aulbach, DHR director, explained that any permanent change of station move can be difficult, no matter how many times someone does it.

"It's also nice to know that you see from the leadership that there's a sense of caring and trying to make that integration a little bit smoother," he said.

About 30 employees, a mix of Soldiers, Army civilians and master labor contract employees, joined the latest orientation Sept. 25.

So far, more than 120 employees have attended the orientations since they began a year ago, as part of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command's Service Culture Campaign.

The most recent orientation started in the headquarters building with an overview of the garrison's mission and organizational structure by the command team.

Col. Marcus Hunter, garrison commander, welcomed the employees, saying that their different professional and cultural backgrounds represent the diverse team here in Japan.

"And that's truly the garrison," he said. "So, this is a great example of the 'Ichi Dan - One Team' motto that we say in Japan... when you think of our mission and how we integrate and support all the different activities and other units."

Hunter added garrison personnel closely work together to offer exceptional installation services to Soldiers, civilians and families.

"As a very diverse team, we pride ourselves on the excellence with which we do our job and the service that we provide to our community," he said.

Command Sgt. Maj. David A. Rio, garrison senior enlisted leader, said the team here is unique compared to other garrisons.

He said about 75% of the workforce is comprised of local national employees, and the garrison has 17 sites located throughout Japan.

"This is not typical for garrisons across the world," Rio said. "If you look at our footprint, both here on Honshu and down in Okinawa, we have several installation sites that are quite geographically dispersed."

Hunter said the garrison continues to forge relationships with the sister services and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, which shares Camp Zama with the U.S. Army, to support missions for the security of this country.

At the end of the briefing, Hunter also told the employees they are part of a team that has helped Japan become the top requested duty station.

"The Army has over 100 different garrisons all over the world," he said. "Our garrison here in Japan is the No. 1 requested duty station in the Army. And that's because of everyone in this room."

Hunter added that garrison employees are typically the first people newcomers see, and they take care of the community's children, housing, security, and oversee buildings and utilities to help installations run.

"I couldn't be more excited to welcome you to the team," he said, "and let you know that you are part of a great team."

The group then went on an installation tour that made stops at several garrison facilities to help educate employees about the many services available to them.

Following the tour, the employees listened to briefings from various directorates that provided explanations on their roles.

Vacari Dickerson, a housing management assistant, was one of the new employees to participate in the orientation.

"I know for me I am definitely going to utilize the services," she said, "because now I know more about them, and I was able to get my questions answered."

While Dickerson and her husband, a U.S. Army Japan Soldier, have been in the country for some time, she said the orientation still helped expand her knowledge on the Army's mission and structure in Japan.

She particularly found it interesting to learn more about Sagami General Depot and how the garrison helps the Defense Commissary Agency store its food and supplies there.

"We've been here for over a year and a half, and I still get a little confused about all of the different bases," she said. "So, it was great to hear... how we're all connected."

Tomomi Teshigahara recently arrived at Camp Zama to work as a management analyst for the Resource Management Office.

She said she appreciated the installation tour, especially since she got to visit the Yano Fitness Center for the first time, where she learned she could use the facility as a local national employee.

"I'm pretty new, just a few weeks, so I have no idea what kind of services that you can get as an MLC [employee]," she said. "So, it was really helpful."

While all new employees attend a newcomer's briefing and the one-week Japanese Head Start program, Aulbach said the garrison orientation goes even further to ease their transition.

"This is our way of getting people aware of the different directorates," he said. "You may never know what any of the other directorates do if you're not higher in the chain."

And by meeting other garrison personnel face-to-face, Aulbach said new employees will also know who they can turn to if they have an issue while in-processing or in their job.

"It's just a smoother transition," he said. "And the smoother the transition is, the sooner they can get to work and be hopefully a successful part of the team."

Related links:

U.S. Army Garrison Japan news

USAG Japan official website

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