USARJ units claim bragging rights in Army Week events

By Sean Kimmons, U.S. Army Garrison Japan Public AffairsJune 16, 2024

Soldiers battle it out in a tug-of-war event during Army Week festivities at Camp Zama, Japan, June 11, 2024. Personnel across U.S. Army Japan celebrated the Army’s 249th birthday with some friendly competition in various sports activities.
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers battle it out in a tug-of-war event during Army Week festivities at Camp Zama, Japan, June 11, 2024. Personnel across U.S. Army Japan celebrated the Army’s 249th birthday with some friendly competition in various sports activities. (Photo Credit: Fumiaki Tabuchi, U.S. Army Japan Public Affairs) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ultimate frisbee players compete in a game during Army Week festivities at Camp Zama, Japan, June 11, 2024. Personnel across U.S. Army Japan celebrated the Army’s 249th birthday with some friendly competition in various sports activities.
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Ultimate frisbee players compete in a game during Army Week festivities at Camp Zama, Japan, June 11, 2024. Personnel across U.S. Army Japan celebrated the Army’s 249th birthday with some friendly competition in various sports activities. (Photo Credit: Fumiaki Tabuchi, U.S. Army Japan Public Affairs ) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ultimate frisbee players shake hands following a game during Army Week festivities at Camp Zama, Japan, June 11, 2024. Personnel across U.S. Army Japan celebrated the Army’s 249th birthday with some friendly competition in various sports...
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Ultimate frisbee players shake hands following a game during Army Week festivities at Camp Zama, Japan, June 11, 2024. Personnel across U.S. Army Japan celebrated the Army’s 249th birthday with some friendly competition in various sports activities. (Photo Credit: Fumiaki Tabuchi, U.S. Army Japan Public Affairs ) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP ZAMA, Japan – U.S. Army Japan personnel celebrated the Army’s 249th birthday last week with some friendly competition in various sports activities.

Winning teams of the seven events received certificates of excellence during an awards ceremony here Wednesday at Yano Sports Field.

Col. Terry A. Butcher, deputy commander of USARJ, said the ceremony was intended to recognize the efforts from everyone who participated in the activities that began June 10.

“By virtue of you taking part in these events, and especially by virtue of those of you who won, you represent the best of us,” he told the crowd. “You represent the best of the Army during our birthday week.”

With dozens of Soldiers in a horseshoe formation around him, Butcher then awarded the certificates to representatives from the teams that won each of the events.

“You know, it just brings me a lot of pride that I am able to stand up here in front of you and present these awards to all of you,” he said. “Again, congratulations one and all. It’s good to have you out here.”

Units earning first place in the events included:

  • Soccer: U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Japan
  • Fittest Warrior Competition: U.S. Army Aviation Battalion Japan
  • Team Combat-Focused Fitness Competition: USAABJ
  • Ultimate Frisbee: USAABJ
  • Tug-of-War: 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade
  • 3-on-3 Basketball: 311th Military Intelligence Battalion
  • Officer vs. Enlisted Softball Game: Enlisted team
U.S. Army Japan personnel compete in a soccer match during Army Week festivities in celebration of the Army birthday at Camp Zama, Japan, June 10, 2024.
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Japan personnel compete in a soccer match during Army Week festivities in celebration of the Army birthday at Camp Zama, Japan, June 10, 2024. (Photo Credit: Fumiaki Tabuchi, U.S. Army Japan Public Affairs ) VIEW ORIGINAL
Officers and enlisted Soldiers compete in a softball game during Army Week festivities at Camp Zama, Japan, June 12, 2024. Personnel across U.S. Army Japan celebrated the Army’s 249th birthday with some friendly competition in various sports...
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Officers and enlisted Soldiers compete in a softball game during Army Week festivities at Camp Zama, Japan, June 12, 2024. Personnel across U.S. Army Japan celebrated the Army’s 249th birthday with some friendly competition in various sports activities. (Photo Credit: Fumiaki Tabuchi, U.S. Army Japan Public Affairs ) VIEW ORIGINAL
Col. Terry A. Butcher, right, deputy commander of U.S. Army Japan, presents a certificate of excellence to 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Soldiers who won the tug-of-war event during an Army Week awards ceremony at Camp Zama, Japan, June 12,...
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Terry A. Butcher, right, deputy commander of U.S. Army Japan, presents a certificate of excellence to 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Soldiers who won the tug-of-war event during an Army Week awards ceremony at Camp Zama, Japan, June 12, 2024. Personnel across USARJ celebrated the Army’s 249th birthday with some friendly competition in various sports activities. (Photo Credit: Fumiaki Tabuchi, U.S. Army Japan Public Affairs ) VIEW ORIGINAL

Spc. Jakil Snowden, a food inspector assigned to Veterinary Readiness Activity, Japan, was among the many Soldiers to participate in the soccer, ultimate frisbee and tug-of-war events.

He said the Army Week festivities, which also included a fun run on Thursday and Army ball on Friday, were a great way to help boost morale in the community.

“It was very competitive,” Snowden said of the sports events. “We were able to let loose and not worry about rank. It was actually pretty fun.”

Snowden said the events also allowed him to network and foster camaraderie with Soldiers not in his unit.

“A lot of people don’t know about our job, and we may not know about theirs,” he said, “so it helps strengthen our relationships with other people.”

After experiencing Army Week for the first time, Pfc. Jacob Townson, a watercraft operator assigned to the 5th Transportation Company, said he appreciated all the coordination to make the events happen.

“This week has been really good,” he said. “I’ve been out here every day supporting my team.”

Still new to the Army, Townson, who competed in basketball and ultimate frisbee, said the events helped him form stronger bonds with those in his unit.

“It builds us together as a team,” he said. “I just got here a couple of months ago, so I didn’t really know a lot of people. By allowing us to come together and compete as a team and as a family, [it] just helped me build my relationship with them.”

Related links:

U.S. Army Garrison Japan news

USAG Japan official website