Jieitai experience

The training camp was a good experience. I was a bit worried that they might single me out right away and question where I was from, possibly even forbid me from entering the grounds, but everything was fine. Of course, I did get quite a lot of stares from the other athletes, looking quizzically at me, wondering if I was Japanese, or another nationality.

The entrance (picture actually taken when we left because on our arrival, it was too dark)

From what I understood, the Ground Self-Defense Force is a place where strong athletes can go to pursue their sport as they work to serve their country. Kind of like companies in Japan. In Japan, after you graduate from university, if you're good enough, companies like Komatsu or Alsok will recruit you. You work for the company and they provide you with a training place, coaches, etc. So the jietai is kind of similar, supplying a dojo, a fitness gym, a running track, etc, for athletes in exchange for work.

Because it's a self-defense base, we had a short lesson on how to stand at attention, at rest, how to salute and march. It was actually fun. They made us march in lines of 3 or 4 to go the cafeteria. Ichi ni, ichi ni. (One two, one two).

Many other universities came (Yamanashi, Sendai, Teikyo) as well as a number of athletes who are fighting to go to the Olympics (Fukumi, Asami, Kunihara, Matsumoto, Hirai, Sugimoto, etc). So it was great to have so many bodies to practice with.

In the morning, we were woken up by a trumpet at 6:00, 6:15 and 6:30. Then after eating breakfast, it was straight to practice which lasted about 2 hours. Then, rush to take a shower, eat lunch, rest for about an hour, then practice #2. Then again, shower, supper, and then sleep.

The room where we slept: 6 girls per room

During the camp, we also had some renshuujiai, some practice matches. For the first time, I participated as part of the Tokai team. I lost all my matches which was discouraging. This is my first time taking part in these practice matches and my first time fighting against Japanese (other than in practice). But it was good experience because the coaches gave me good feedback and indicated things I need to work on like having a stronger grip to prevent my opponent from entering so easily.

It rained every day we were there. On the last day only, the sun decided to finally come out.

Picture taken from our room on the 7th floor

Bringing our luggage to practice on the last day

In all, it was a good experience, and something that not many foreigners get the chance to do. I took part in my first practice matches against other Japanese. I had the opportunity to fight with up-and-coming athletes. And I learned how to salute, march, and stand at attention. : )