Environmental and Sustainability Considerations Michael Wolford United States Army Engineer School Directorate of Environmental Integration Fort Leonard Wood, MO 573-329-1927 michael.wolford1@us.army.mil 1
AGENDA Basis Objectives Approach Discussion/Findings Recommendations Way Ahead 2
Basis National Strategies CALL Survey from Afghanistan Environmental and Sustainability Issues from other Deployments 3
Quotes provided by Interviewed Staff If it was important enough for us to do, we would have been told about it before we got here. attributed to BN Cdr It s not our job. attributed to BN Cdr We re in the desert what does it matter? attributed to BCT Cdr We re here to fight a war not pick up trash. attributed to BCT Cdr The Kuwaitis do not care why should we? common sentiment We re just passing through and do not have time. attributed to BCT Cdr It is usually only NCOs who report to the Safety and Environmental briefs and these are not even the senior NCOs. Arifjan DPW staff Their general attitude is to get in and get out. Arifjan DPW staff There are no compliance requirements for EPA OCONUS. attributed to BCT Cdr We ve never had to worry about environmental stuff before. common sentiment 4
Afghanistan, HW Control Uzbekistan, Fuel Point Iraq, Sanitary Waste Disposal Kuwait, Unauthorized Disposal 5
Afghanistan, Burn Pit Contractor, HW Handling Iraq, Fuel Storage Iraq, Left Behind after Camp Closure 6
What Soldiers Expect 7
What Soldiers Get initially 8
Objectives Were to Determine with respect to environmental and sustainability considerations: Type and availability of training. Unit commanders required training. Requirements/guidance included in OPLANS and OPORDS. Are materiel solutions required. Is there a lack of utilization of existing material. Are the application of policies, programs, and processes consistent. 9
Approach Observe pre-deployment training at NTC, JRTC, JMRC and interview pertinent parties. Observe deployed operations in the Balkans and interview pertinent parties. Observe deployed operations in Kuwait/Qatar and interview pertinent parties. 10
Findings Training Command Oversight or Emphasis Materiel Solutions Consistent Management Approach 11
Training Soldiers/Civilians lack training regarding environmental and sustainability considerations during deployed operations Engineers need more training Environmental and Sustainability Base Operations ECO training is too IMCOM installation centric. Little if any environmental or sustainability training occurs once deployed. 12
Training Training centers do not include environmental or sustainability considerations in their predeployment scenarios. Training center FOBs have base camp functions provided by contractor staff. ECT at training centers is a support function not integrated into pre-deployment training. 13
Command Emphasis Lack of Soldier awareness can be directly equated to lack of command emphasis on training and implementation. Commanders are not adequately informed as to the relationships between environmental and sustainability considerations and the execution of their mission. Environmental considerations are not always addressed in OPLANs and OPORDs. Very few units have ECO positions filled. 14
Materiel/Material Solutions COTS technologies may be available for urgent operational needs, but acquisition is not easy. Coordinate COTS evaluation for military application. Capabilities based assessment for environmental and sustainability requirements. No venue for research and development for contingency operations. Base camps are system of systems and need requirements based on this concept. 15
Consistent Management Approach Currently, no consistent or overarching policy. With the lack of overarching policy, protocols are being created at lower levels. Environmental and sustainability considerations must be linked with mission, Force Multiplier. Counter Intelligence Increased Security Improved Health and Welfare Reduced Logistics 16
Actions Occurring Continuing to adjust existing environmental and sustainability training to account for contingency requirements. USAES adjusting ECO course to include contingency operations appropriate training. USAES providing on site and distributive learning platforms USAES developing environmental and sustainability training based on FM 3-100.4 (to be updated as FM 3-34.500 Environmental Considerations During Contingency Operations). 17
Actions Occurring USAES Working with deployed operations to address environmental and sustainability issues Composting/Landfarming Fuel-oil Blending Solid and Hazardous waste incineration. Addressing R&D needs Promoting sustainable systems 18
Balkans, German Modular Camp Iraq, Waste Oil Storage Kosovo, Composting Kuwait, Aerated Black Water Lagoon 19
Recommendations Develop and implement consistent contingency operations environmental and sustainability policies. OSD Army AMC IMCOM FORSCOM TRADOC 20
Recommendations Integrate environmental and sustainability training into operational training (Soldier/Civilian). Include in combat training center scenarios. Include in simulations and table top exercises. Schoolhouses include in NCO, Warrant, and Officer training. Include in professional development programs (Soldier/Civilian) Require leaders to develop Environmental Programs as outlined in FM 3-100.4 Environmental Consideration in Military Operations (FM 3-34.500 Environmental Considerations During Contingency Operations). 21
Recommendations Emphasize to Army s leaders environmental and sustainability issues have the same importance as that of safety. Recognize impact to mission: safety problems, security & intelligence, resource allocation & logistics, host nation relations, public opinion, legal & fiscal issues, and force protection. Require and assure OPLANs and OPORDs include appropriate environmental Appendices or Annexes. Require leaders to develop Environmental Programs as outlined in FM 3-100.4 (FM 3-34.500) Environmental Consideration in Military Operations. 22
Way Ahead Establish Army environmental and sustainability team to develop implementations plan/efforts. Bring together forum of stakeholders Perform an environmental and sustainability Capabilities Based Assessment for contingency operations. Establish Army specific protocols/procedures in the absence of OSD direction Coordinate with other services. Coordinate with TRADOC to evaluate need for Army MOS or ASI for environmental and sustainability actions. Promote environmental and sustainability considerations at senior command levels. 23
If it was important enough for us to do, we would have been told about it before we got here. QUESTIONS? FOUO 24