USARJ, JGSDF CSMs discuss readiness, resiliency

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class John Carkeet IV | Army Command Sgt Maj. Eric C. Dostie (left, center), command sergeant major, U.S. Army Japan, and Warrant Officer Akihiro Kanae (right center), command sergeant major, JGSDF Middle Army, discuss upcoming bilateral engagements and community events between their respective commands during a planning session conducted Nov. 9, 2015, in Camp Zama, Japan. The collaboration between U.S. and JGSDF service members comprised several community building assignments such as delivering holiday gifts at a local orphanage and cleaning historical sites.  

CAMP ZAMA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

11.09.2015

Story by Sgt. John Carkeet IV 

U.S. Army Japan

CAMP ZAMA, Japan – Senior noncommissioned officers from U.S. Army Japan (USARJ) welcomed their Japan Ground Self-Defense (JGSDF) counterparts to Camp Zama to discuss how to pool their resources to enhance unit readiness and individual Soldier resiliency.

Army Command Sgt. Maj. Eric C. Dostie, command sergeant major, USARJ, introduced Warrant Officer Akihiro Kanae, command sergeant major, Middle Army, JGSDF and his guests to administrators and medical personnel from Camp Zama’s Resiliency Center. While touring the facilities, the group discussed how the JGSDF could incorporate portions of the Army’s resiliency programs into its unit readiness initiatives.

“The Army takes a holistic approach to resilience,” said Dostie. “By combining every aspect of resilience under one roof, we can better pool our resources and identify the diverse physical, behavioral and financial needs of our Soldiers and their families.”

The two parties also shared ideas on how to remove the stigma associated with clinical counseling.

“I am open to enrolling the [Middle Army]’s senior NCO leadership into the U.S. Army’s resiliency training classes,” suggested Kanae through his interpreter. “We could learn from each other on how to support our personnel on a one-on-one basis while promoting an environment free of embarrassment or punishment.”

Dostie, Kanae and his team concluded their visit with a formal planning session to finalize bilateral engagements and community events that comprised a variety of collaborative projects such as delivering holiday gifts at a local orphanage and cleaning historical sites.

“Charitable events like offer our Armies opportunities to give back to the community,” said Dostie. “They remind our Soldiers and our host nation partners that the U.S.-Japan relationship goes far beyond military exercises.”

• Date Taken: 11.09.2015
• Date Posted: 11.15.2015 00:10
• Story ID: 181978
• Location: CAMP ZAMA, KANAGAWA, JP