COLA Survey Begins in Japan
A Cost of Living Allowance Adjustment for Japan survey kicked off March 21. The Overseas COLA is a nontaxable supplemental pay allowance, designed to equalize purchasing power so that service members can purchase the same level of goods and services overseas as they could if they were stationed in the continental United States.
U.S. Army Japan encourage all service members to participate in this survey, which will take around 10 to 20 minutes to complete. Your participation will help shape the amount of COLA you are paid in the future, and you could see impacts as early as this summer.
You can participate at this link.
If you have any additional questions, please reach out to your chain of command or local human resources offices.
U.S. Army Japan updated COVID-19 Policies
On March 16, U.S. Army Japan updated its Activity Guide to keep the community’s health and safety the top priority and remain aligned with Japan’s national and local COVID policies. Please familiarize yourself with the different tiers of prefectural COVID precautions and the updated travel map when traveling off-post. While the 150-kilometer liberty boundary remains in effect, please note the level of approval authority has changed.
Also, in alignment with U.S. Forces Japan, USARJ updated its on-post mask policy:
- All SOFA personnel, regardless of vaccination status, are no longer required to wear a mask while indoors or outdoors on post when community transmission in the local area is below the high level, as defined by the CDC, unless required by the commanding general.
- All SOFA personnel will continue to wear masks when entering all medical and dental facilities.
- All SOFA personnel are still REQUIRED to wear masks off post, regardless of vaccination status.
Please visit https://www.usarj.army.mil/misc/covid19/ for more information.
Free COVID-19 Home-Test Kits Available at MEDDAC-Japan
MEDDAC-Japan is now offering free COVID-19 home-test kits. This is available only to our empaneled TRICARE beneficiaries and due to current supply we are limited to one kit per ID cardholder. You are able to pick up your home-test kits at our COVID testing location (blue and white tent in the rear of the clinic). There will be two separate lines, one for testing and one for home-kit pick up. Please ensure that you are in the appropriate line. If you do not have an ID card, you will not be issued a kit or tested. Children under the age of 10 can be validated with a parent’s ID card.
“Resiliency Photo Contest” Deadline Approaching
The Army Community Service “What Does Resiliency Look Like to You?” photo contest is ongoing, and photo submissions are due by March 31. The contest is open to the entire community, and there is no age limit. Each community member can submit one photo.
Please send digital images to Sabrina.tsai.naf@army.mil. The photos will be displayed for the community to vote on from April 18 to April 22 in the Yano Fitness Center, and winners will be announced on April 25. Call DSN 263-4229/3758 (046-407-4229/3758) for more information.
National Child Abuse Prevention Month Pinwheel Planting
The entire community is invited to a National Child Abuse Prevention Month Pinwheel Planting event from 10 a.m. to noon on April 1 at the Sagamihara Family Housing Area Library. Show your support to end child abuse by wearing blue that day. Contact Army Community Service at 263-4357 (046-407-4357) for more information.
MG James Ursano Scholarship for Dependent Children Deadline
The deadline to apply for the MG James Ursano Scholarship for Dependent Children is April 1. This is a need-based scholarship program established to assist children of Army Soldiers in obtaining their first undergraduate degree. Applicants may receive assistance for up to four academic years but must meet eligibility criteria and reapply each year. Apply at: https://armyemergencyrelief.org/scholarships/. You can visit scholarships.aerhq.org for more information.
Family Kite-Making Workshop
The city of Sagamihara, in coordination with U.S. Army Garrison Japan Public Affairs, is offering a traditional Japanese kite-making class April 2 from 9 a.m. to noon at the School Age Center gymnasium on Sagamihara Family Housing Area. The cost is $12 per family. Call 263-4412 or 046-407-4412 for more information.
Strikeout Sexual Assault Bowling Event & Kickball Tournament
The Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) team will host a “Strikeout Sexual Assault” event at the Camp Zama Bowling Center from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on April 13 and a “KickOut Sexual Assault” kickball tournament starting at 9 a.m. April 9 on the Rambler Field.
Don’t forget to wear “Teal and Denim” to receive one free bowling game and free shoe rental. Prizes will be given away during the event. Call the Zama Bowling Center call at DSN 263-4780 (046-407-4780) for more info.
The kickball tournament is open community members 18 years and older (no high school students) and teams must be registered at the Yano Fitness Center front desk by 9 p.m. April 5. Awards will be presented to the top two teams. Call DSN 263-4664/7980 (046-407-4664/7980) for more information.
Camp Zama Pet Care Center Maintenance/Construction
The Camp Zama Pet Care Center will undergo a facility maintenance and construction project through May 2022. During this time, dog boarding will be limited. Dog grooming services, and cat boarding, will remain unaffected. Call the center at 263-5915 (046-407-5915) for more information.
Seeking Patches for Community Quilt
During the Month of Military Family in November 2022, the Camp Zama Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program, in conjunction with community members, will unveil a community quilt in an effort to foster cohesion and boost morale for the Soldiers and families in the Camp Zama community.
The Quilt Project Team would like to ask you to represent your organization by providing a 6-inch-by-6-inch patch to add to the quilt.
Please pass this information to your employees, Soldier and Family Readiness Groups, and leaders of your organization.
Only one 6-inch-by-6-inch patch per organization or unit will be added to the quilt.
Patches can be made from unit or organization T-shirts, unit patches or old guidons, or created from scratch. The deadline to turn in your patch is June 10.
If you or your unit wants to participate, call 263-8091 or email lucinda.f.ward.civ@army.mil by March 31 for more information.
The point of contact will be able to provide more information about patch-making classes available in April and May, and can assist in creating a patch with unit representatives.
COVID Testing
MEDDAC-Japan officials provide COVID-19 testing Monday through Friday.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
* Exit ROM and Pre-Travel Testing: Conducted from 8 to 10:30 a.m. This is for personnel who were instructed to report for testing to be cleared from ROM, or personnel who require testing for personal or official travel.
* Quarantine Testing: Conducted from 1 to 2:30 p.m. This is for personnel who were instructed to report for testing to be released from quarantine.
Thursday
* Exit ROM and Pre-Travel Testing: Conducted from 8 to 9:30 a.m. This is for personnel who were instructed to report for testing to be cleared from ROM, or personnel who require testing for personal or officials travel.
* Quarantine Testing: Conducted from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. This is for personnel who were instructed to report for testing to be released from quarantine.
NOTE: If you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, you must have an appointment to be tested. Call DSN 263-4175 (046-407-4175) to make an appointment.
Killer Katanas Roller Derby Team Now Recruiting
The Killer Katanas roller derby team is recruiting community members who are looking for a unique and action-packed activity. Women ages 18 and up at any skill level, as well as men interested in becoming officials, can join the practices, which are currently held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Arnn Elementary School on the Sagamihara Family Housing Area. To join a practice or for more information, readers can email the team at zamakillerkatanas@gmail.com.
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