Environmental and Sustainability
Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
Michael Wolford
United States Army Engineer School
Directorate of Environmental Integration
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
573-329-1927
michael.wolford1@us.army.mil
1
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
AGENDA
•
•
•
•
•
•
Basis
Objectives
Approach
Discussion/Findings
Recommendations
Way Ahead
2
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
Basis
• National Strategies
• CALL Survey from Afghanistan
• Environmental and Sustainability Issues from other
Deployments
3
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
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
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
Afghanistan, HW Control
Iraq, Sanitary Waste Disposal
Uzbekistan, Fuel Point
Kuwait, Unauthorized Disposal
5
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
Afghanistan, “Burn Pit”
Contractor, HW Handling
Iraq, Fuel Storage
Iraq, Left Behind after Camp Closure
6
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
What Soldiers Expect
7
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
What Soldiers Get…initially…
8
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
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
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
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
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
Findings
•
Training
•
Command Oversight or Emphasis
•
Materiel Solutions
•
Consistent Management Approach
11
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
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
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
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
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
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
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
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
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
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
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
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 334.500 Environmental Considerations During
Contingency Operations).
17
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
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
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
Balkans, German Modular Camp
Iraq, Waste Oil Storage
Kosovo, Composting
Kuwait, Aerated
“Black” Water Lagoon
19
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
Recommendations
Develop and implement consistent contingency
operations environmental and sustainability policies.
–
–
OSD
Army
•
•
•
•
AMC
IMCOM
FORSCOM
TRADOC
20
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
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
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
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
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
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
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
During Full Spectrum Operations
“If it was important
enough for us to do, we
would have been told about
it before we got here.”
QUESTIONS?
24
FOUO