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AMP ZAMA, Japan – A vast majority of the approximately 205,000 men and women serving in the U.S Army Reserve adhere to the “one weekend every month, two weeks every year,” commitment. Although true for most Soldiers who balance their full-time civilian professions with their part-time military obligations, this blanket statement does not apply to every Warrior Citizen. Thousands of Army Reserve Soldiers don ACUs nearly every waking hour to support their Active Duty counterparts on year-long deployments or serve full-time in various units in the Active, Guard, Reserve (AGR) force. Although these classifications are well known and respected throughout the Army Reserve, a small group remains shrouded in unintentional secrecy.
Within these subdivisions lie a team of hand-picked subject matter experts compress a year's worth of training and mission support in a single month. Of those, a tiny fraction have the honor of spending this intense yet memorable 36-day experience in Japan thanks to the region’s active Drilling Individual Mobilization Augmentee (DIMA) program.
According to the U.S. Army's Human Resource Command (HRC), the DIMA program facilitates the rapid expansion of the Army's wartime structure by meeting military manpower requirements. In the case of U.S. Army Japan (USARJ), a relatively small command that manages mission-critical assets throughout a country nearly as large as and three times more populated than California, the DIMA program provides much needed logistical and technical support by supplying subject matter experts in key leadership positions.
“This is especially true while USARJ conducts major bilateral training missions with its Japanese Ground Self-Defense force partners,” said Army Lt. Col. Brett A. Gailey, an Army Reserve Soldier who served as a watch officer for USARJ's intelligence section from Aug. 6-30, 2015. “While the command temporarily shifts its resources to these large-scale exercises, it simultaneously plugs [DIMA Soldiers] into positions who handle real-world assignments.”
Gailey, a former National Guard Soldier and Iraq War veteran who now serves and protects the citizens of Everett, Washington, as a member of the city’s SWAT team, recently became aware of the DIMA program's existence last year.
“I found out about the DIMA program during a casual visit to the HRC website,” said Gailey. “I then reached out to a friend with first-hand knowledge of the program, and he told me that DIMA is the best kept secret in the Army ... I tend to agree.”
After applying to several DIMA positions throughout Asia, Europe and Africa, Gailey began his first of three rotations to Camp Zama, Japan, beginning in May 2014.
“It was like applying for a civilian job,” said Gailey. “I sent my resume, official photo and my three most recent OERs (Officer Evaluation Reports) to [Army] Reserve Component teams around the world.”
“It's a competitive selection process,” added Army Master Sgt. Steven R. Yach, a DIMA Soldier who served as an operations sergeant for USARJ's training division earlier this summer. “USARJ's manpower is stretched thin during these large-scale bilateral training missions. It doesn't have the time to train new arrivals, especially those who are only in the country for a few weeks. That's why ARET-J (Army Reserve Engagement Team-Japan) spends hundreds of hours advertising open positions, reviewing applications and interviewing candidates to ensure it selects Soldiers with the right skill set and mindset to begin working immediately with little supervision.”
In their latest DIMA tour, Gailey and Yach applied their respective knowledge to support USARJ during Ulchi-Freedom Guardian (UFG), a multi-national exercise that simulates the defense of South Korea from an invasion by its northern neighbor.
“It was an eye-opening experience,” said Gailey. “I got to see firsthand how our forces in the Pacific work together at the strategic level … I truly began to understand and appreciate the operational nuances among our Japanese and Korean allies.”
“There was rarely a dull moment,” said Yach. “If I wasn't in the Operations Center coordinating travel for units inbound from the U.S. to participate in UFG, I was in the G3 training office mentoring other Soldiers.”
Despite the numerous demands from their superiors, subordinates and allies, the enriching experience gave both men time to reflect on DIMA's significant contribution to USARJ's overall readiness.
“[The Army Reserve] should be proud of the DIMA program,” said Gailey. It shows that all Soldiers – Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard – wear the same uniform and accomplish the same mission. It also showcases the [Army] Reserve's vast pool of talent that can accomplish any mission.”
“We also offer a fresh perspective,” said Yach, who has since returned to his civilian position at California State University (Fullerton) working as the recruiting operations officer for the university's Army ROTC program. “Instead of doing things doctrinally, DIMA Soldiers can offer new ideas and implement effective practices from their civilian careers.”
This “fresh perspective” also enticed the pair to offer ideas to improve the DIMA program.
“The Army Reserve could enhance its marketing efforts by training Soldiers on how to sell DIMA,” said Gailey. “It could equip recruiters and career counselors with the latest tools and knowledge to entice Soldiers and their civilian employers to accept a month-long block of leave rather than spreading training days throughout the year.”
“Some DIMA Soldiers suffer from the 'out of sight, out of mind,' syndrome,” Yach admitted. “It's more difficult for them to track their career progression since, unlike TPU Soldiers, their superiors do not see them every month. Since the DIMA program demands that its Soldiers are ready to lead the moment they arrive [in Japan], consistent communication between DIMA candidates and their respective sections remains essential to tracking records, relaying news, and coordinating training throughout the year.”
Gailey and Yach also recommended to increase funding for the DIMA program to completely cover its Soldiers' meals and lodging expenses and offer airfare for two round trips between the U.S. and Japan.
“These measures would entice junior Soldiers to participate in the program while giving all DIMA Soldiers the opportunity to break their 36-day commitment to two 18-day stays that encompass a greater number of bilateral missions.”
In the face of inherit challenges of saying farewell to friends and loved ones for four weeks every year, the two men are eager to return to the Land of the Rising Sun.
“DIMA offers a unique opportunity to grow on a personal and professional level,” said Gailey. “The mission perfectly aligns with my civilian career, and the program's flexibility compliments my lifestyle.”
“It also gives a great reason to bring your family to Japan on vacation,” chimed Yach. “On your own dime, of course.”
To learn more about the diverse opportunities offered through Japan’s active DIMA program, visit http://www.usarj.army.mil/reserves/program.aspx.
| Date Taken: | 10.26.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 10.26.2015 09:35 |
| Story ID: | 179916 |
| Location: | CAMP ZAMA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 1,192 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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