Camp Zama's new 'Warrior Zone' provides recreation for single Soldiers

CAMP ZAMA, Japan (Aug. 30, 2019) -- Camp Zama's newly constructed Warrior Zone, a recreation facility for single and unaccompanied Soldiers, opened officially Aug. 23 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Community Recreation Center here.

The commander of U.S. Army Garrison Japan, who helped cut the ribbon, said the intent of having a facility like the Warrior Zone on Camp Zama is "to create a positive impact on the Soldiers in our community."

"The goal of the Warrior Zone is to provide a state-of-the-art, multipurpose facility designed to provide opportunities for Soldiers to socialize and to interact with peers and friends throughout the globe," said Col. Thomas R. Matelski.

Joining Matelski in the ribbon-cutting were U.S. Army Japan Commander Maj. Gen. Viet Luong; Camp Zama's Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Director Rick Bosch; and Spc. Aaron Downing, vice president of Camp Zama's Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program, or BOSS.

The Warrior Zone includes amenities such as a dedicated space for watching movies, TVs and a variety of video game consoles, computers and free Wi-Fi access, billiards and air hockey tables, darts and other recreational equipment.

The previous Warrior Zone was located inside Building 534, one of Camp Zama's oldest buildings. It was once used as a study hall for Japanese service members when the Imperial Army Academy was located on the installation.

With its relocation inside a newer and more easily accessible facility in the CRC, Downing said he hopes the Warrior Zone will help to "bring morale to all the service members" who use it.

Having such a large crowd of people at the opening, as well as the support from command leadership, will help to raise awareness of the Warrior Zone's availability and its many amenities among Camp Zama's single-Soldier community, Downing added.

Emmettee McNeill, director of the CRC, noted that in addition to U.S. Soldiers, members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force stationed on Camp Zama are also eligible to use the Warrior Zone.

Downing said he went to the Warrior Zone at its previous location a few times a week for meetings and to hang out with his friends, and added that he plans to do the same in the new facility.

The Zama Warrior Zone is open Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 9 p.m., Friday from noon to 10 p.m., and Saturday from 1 to 10 p.m.