SUSTAIN THE MISSION.SECURE THE FUTURE.

STRATEGY FOR THEENVIRONMENT

The Army Strategy for the Environment“Sustain the Mission – Secure the Future”

The United States Army has long recognized that our mission is only accomplishedbecause America entrusts us with its most precious resources – its sons and daughters.It is our obligation to ensure that our Soldiers today – and the Soldiers of the future –have the land, water, and air resources they need to train; a healthy environment inwhich to live; and the support of local communities and the American people.

The new Army Strategy for the Environment: Sustain the Mission – Secure theFuture establishes a long-range vision that enables the Army to meet its mission todayand into the future. Sustainability is the foundation for this Strategy and a paradigm thatfocuses our thinking to address both present and future needs while strengtheningcommunity partnerships that improve our ability to organize, equip, train, and deploy ourSoldiers as part of the joint force.

Sustainability connects our activities today to those of tomorrow with soundbusiness and environmental practices. We have learned over the past decades thatsimply complying with environmental regulations will not ensure that we will be ableto sustain our mission. We must strive to become systems thinkers if we are to benefitfrom the interrelationships of the triple bottom line of sustainability: mission,environment, and community. To sustain the future Army we must implement effectivepolicies and practices that safeguard the environment and our quality of life in a mannerthat our nation expects of us.

The Army Strategy for the Environment does not pretend to dictate all the answers.It is only the starting point that commits Army leaders at all levels to certain goals andchallenges them to develop innovative methods to achieve these goals. Achieving thevision outlined in this strategy will require a deep and personal commitment from everymember of the Army team – every leader, every Soldier, every civilian, and every familymember. For the Army to be successful on its quest toward sustainability we must all doour part to Sustain the Mission, Secure the Future!

Peter J. Schoomaker R.L. BrownleeGeneral, United States Army Acting Secretary of the ArmyChief of Staff

THE ARMY STRATEGY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

V I S I O N

SECURE THE FUTURE

The Army Strategy for the Environment is designedto strengthen the Army today and into the future.It establishes the long-range vision for a sustainableArmy, and the goals upon which the vision is based.

This Strategy transitions the Army’s compliance-based environmental program to a mission-orientedapproach based on the principles of sustainability.This document explains why this change is so impor-tant to the Army and how this sustainability-basedStrategy improves the Army.

The term “sustainability” may have different mean-ings in different contexts. For the purposes of thisStrategy, a sustainable Army simultaneously meetscurrent as well as future mission requirements world-wide, safeguards human health, improves quality oflife, and enhances the natural environment.

SUSTAIN THE MISSION

This Strategy is inspired by the need to address globalfactors influencing our Nation’s security and stability.These factors have dramatically changed since theArmy last published a comprehensive environmentalstrategy in 1992. America’s potential enemies are nolonger exclusively established states with physicalassets at risk. Advances in technology, ever-increasingglobal population, and urbanization have effectivelymade the world smaller. They have placed greaterstresses on the world’s interconnected human,economic, and natural systems. Local and regionalissues, such as famine, natural disasters, ecologicaldegradation, economic decline, political upheaval,and disputes over precious and sometimes scarcenatural resources are evolving into global issues thatinfluence how the United States must respond andinteract – through political, economic, and whennecessary, military engagement.

Although much is changing, certain things remainconstant. The Army’s primary mission is to defendthe United States – its people, its land, and its her-itage. Our core values endure.

While remaining true to our primary mission andthese values, the Army must continually evolve toremain relevant and ready to meet these global chal-lenges. In this rapidly changing environment, meetingmission requirements worldwide will increasinglyrequire both safeguarding the natural systems, uponwhich our quality of life depends, and more effectivepartnering at the global, federal, state, and local levels.

MEET THE CHALLENGES

To meet these challenges, we are transforming howwe fight, how we train, how we do business, andhow we interact with others in order to continuallyimprove and provide for the Nation’s security. Moreimportantly, we are changing the way we think andact. Doctrines that prepared us for conflict, peace-keeping, humanitarian operations, and homelanddefense are rapidly evolving as we adapt to a complexoperational environment.

SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS, INSTALLATIONS, SYSTEMS, AND COMMUNITIES ENABLING THE ARMY MISSION.

SUSTAINABILITY IS KEYSTONE

This Army Strategy for the Environment representssuch a change in Army thinking. It represents amajor advancement in the Army’s appreciation ofthe interdependence between our mission, the com-munity, and the environment. It builds on theknowledge and experience gained since the Army’slast environmental strategy was published in 1992 –a strategy based on the four pillars of conservation,restoration, pollution prevention, and compliance.This Strategy applies a community, regional, andecosystem approach to managing natural resourceson our installations. It incorporates the principlesof sustainability across the Army and into all func-tional areas.

This is a strategy for a Campaign Quality Army withJoint and Expeditionary Capabilities that is dominantacross the full spectrum of operations. The Armywill continually incorporate environmental consider-ations in all contingency and combat operations, asour environmental stewardship inevitably becomes acontributing factor in achieving stability. This is astrategy for a homeland that is protected, an environ-ment that is sustained, and waterways and ecologicalresources that are preserved as natural and economicassets, and an Army that is trusted by the public.

MISSION

CO

MM

UN

ITY

EN

VIR

ON

M

ENT

THE ARMY STRATEGY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

M I S S I O N

SUSTAIN THE ENVIRONMENT TO ENABLE THE ARMY MISSION AND SECURE THE FUTURE.

This is a strategy for a sustainable Army: it sustainsand supports the Army in all its missions and appliesto all Army units, organizations, personnel, suppliers,support contractors, and partners.

This Strategy is designed to accelerate the Army’spotential to successfully innovate and improve opera-tions. It provides a continuing return on Army invest-ment by more effectively applying resources to meetthe Army’s mission. It commits to a focus that meetstoday’s needs and anticipates tomorrow’s challenges.

THE PURPOSES OFTHIS STRATEGY ARE TO:

• Strengthen the Army contribution to joint opera-tional capability

• Meet current and future training, testing, andother mission requirements

• Improve our ability to operate installations, toinclude growing joint interdependency

• Reduce costs and minimize impacts so the Armycan do more, and do it better

• Enhance human health, safety, and well-being

• Be an active citizen within our communities,as well as a good neighbor

THE ARMY STRATEGY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

G OA L SWe have adopted the following goals in order toachieve an enduring Army enabled by sustainableoperations, installations, systems, and communities.These are the building blocks of Army sustainability,and they spring from the internal processes in theArmy’s Strategic Readiness System. These goals createthe structure to provide a clear linkage between theArmy’s strategic objectives and the actions needed toachieve those objectives as envisioned and directedunder the Government Performance and Results Actand the Chief Financial Officers Act.

These are long-term goals. They will not be realizedin the short-term. They will guide the Army into thefuture. These goals require policy, planning, program-ming, implementation, and time to bring us closer tothe promise and benefits embodied herein.

GOAL: FOSTER ASUSTAINABILITY ETHICFoster an ethic within the Army that takesus beyond environmental compliance tosustainability.Strategically, a sustainable Army is an innovativeArmy that can rapidly adapt to future challenges,and an Army that has the support of the Nation itdefends, whether in war or peace. In essence, thefoundation for such a sustainability ethic is alreadyembedded in the Army core values that inspire us toact with integrity: doing what is right — legally andmorally. We are protectors of freedom, and we arewarriors with integrity.

Achieving and maintaining this ethic of sustainabilityrequires that Army leaders foster a climate in which theArmy community embraces the reality that the Earth’sresources, while essential to military operations, arenot inexhaustible. Such a mind-set protects militaryreadiness, advances sustainability, and builds trust.

Through education and setting the example, weinspire each other to take proactive measures andachieve excellence. The Army will provide the neces-sary training in sustainable environmental principlesand practices to better use our resources. We mustcomply with all laws and continually build the trustof the American public by responsibly addressingpast and present contamination resulting fromunsustainable practices. Our Army’s future mandatesthat we have the foresight to continue addressingyesterday’s problems while respecting today’s assetsfor tomorrow.

GOAL: STRENGTHENARMY OPERATIONSStrengthen Army operational capabilityby reducing our environmental footprintthrough more sustainable practices.The Army will employ sustainable practices such aswater conservation, and fuel and energy efficiencyto minimize our logistical tail. This will enable us todeploy faster, travel farther, and sustain as long asrequired. Zero emissions – heat, light, noise, waste –reduce the operational signature, environmentalfootprint, and logistical support tail.

“Doing the right thing is good. Doing the right thing forthe right reason and with the right intention is even better.”

– Army Leadership Manual

Situational awareness includes human health andenvironmental conditions on and beyond the battle-field. We will have the capability to assess the totalenvironment before deployment, to monitor andprotect during deployment, and to leave a positivelegacy upon redeployment. Protecting our Soldiersfrom environmental harm is a vital component ofprotecting the force.

GOAL: MEET TEST,TRAININGAND MISSION REQUIREMENTSMeet current and future training, testing,and other mission requirements bysustaining land, air, and water resources.Our Army, as a part of the Joint Force, is committedto providing relevant and ready land power capabili-ties to the Combatant Commanders. We trainSoldiers, grow leaders, and forge them into cohesiveunits through tough, realistic training in a multitudeof climates and conditions. Sustaining our diverseenvironmental resources is a critical component ofmaintaining Soldier readiness.

The Army will sustain its ranges so that they arealways available to meet our mission requirements.The Army will sustain our test and training lands’natural resource base in quantity, quality, and config-uration to meet current and future requirements.The Army will manage range activities to maintainthe resiliency and buffering needed to protect theenvironment and the surrounding communities fromimpacts of training and testing.

We will apply an ecosystem-based approach to man-age natural resources and will collaborate with stake-holders to protect ecosystems. We will be a leader insustainability — this is crucial to the success of ourmission as we meet current and future challenges.

GOAL: MINIMIZE IMPACTS ANDTOTAL OWNERSHIP COSTSMinimize impacts and total ownershipcosts of Army systems, materiel, facilities,and operations by integrating theprinciples and practices of sustainability.The Army will reduce impacts on the environmentand the true cost of doing business. Many of ourcosts are hidden or transparent while others are notyet internalized or quantified. These life cycle costs,which include impacts on resources and the environ-ment, occur from concept through use to regenera-tion or disposal. We will more effectively and effi-ciently manage by integrating sustainable practicesinto our systems, materiel, facilities, and operations.

We will integrate sustainability into all activities byusing the ISO 14001 Environmental ManagementSystem Standard as a framework to improve perform-ance and compliance. We will leverage our purchasingpower to favor environmentally sustainable productsthat lower total ownership costs, and employ othertools to continually improve effectiveness and bettermanage total ownership costs. We will also expect thesame ethics and business practices of sustainabilityfrom our support contractors and corporate partners.

THE ARMY STRATEGY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

GOAL: ENHANCE WELL-BEINGEnhance the well-being of our Soldiers,civilians, families, neighbors and commu-nities through leadership in sustainability.The Army will honor our commitment to theAmerican people and to future generations. We willsustain our natural resources for our Soldiers, theirfamilies, Army civilians, our contract workforce, andour neighbors. We will celebrate our heritage throughresponsible management of our cultural resources.We will honor our treaty and trust responsibilities toIndian tribes, native Alaskans and Hawaiians, and ourobligations abroad.

The sustainable futures of our installations and ourcommunities are inextricably connected. We areactive members in our communities, promoting thewell-being of Army families and our neighbors,worldwide.

The public has a collaborative stake in our decisions,and we value their involvement as partners in sustain-ability and environmental stewardship. The Army willfoster open relationships to increase understandingby all. We will communicate the Army’s readinessrequirements and environmental initiatives, while atthe same time, listening to our neighbors’ needs andconcerns to build win-win situations together. Wewill ensure fair treatment and meaningful involve-ment for all.

We will strengthen and build new communitypartnerships to achieve sustained and sound environ-mental stewardship and a ready military forcethrough communication, coordination, consultation,and collaboration.

GOAL: DRIVE INNOVATIONUse innovative technology and the princi-ples of sustainability to meet user needsand anticipate future Army challenges.The Army’s ability to seize opportunities afforded bytechnology depends upon a culture of shared purpose,mission, vision, and a commitment to innovation.The Army will match its capability to innovate andadapt with its need to do so in order to train, equip,sustain, and operate. This requires that we acceleratethe transfer of technologies in a timely and cost effec-tive manner to meet current and future requirements.The Army will seek solutions and tools that improveefficiency and reduce cost while protecting humanhealth and the environment.

To achieve this goal, the Army will need professionalsin all fields who are familiar with the principles ofsustainability, including a capable environmental sci-ence base. We will develop partnerships with othergovernment agencies, the private sector, academia,and international organizations to further leverageour environmental science and technology base tomitigate current and future impacts on the Army.

“Learning organizations operate in the sunshine, sharing their work with abroad network and rapidly processing feedback as it is received.They activelyseek views and suggestions from industry and intelligentsia, private citizens, andpoliticians, thereby creating a constructive, two-way communication process.”

– BG David A. Fastabend,Training and Doctrine Command Futures Center, Adapt or Die

G OA L S

Sustainability Enables the Army Mission VISION

STRATEGY

STRATEGIC PLAN

Common Objectives CreatingConsistency and Accountability

Program Objectives, Targetsand Success Indicators

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN A

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN B

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN C

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN D

Detailed Plans, Goals, Status Reportingin Specific Focus Areas

IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR STRATEGY

The Army Strategy for the Environment is designedto guide the Army well into the 21st Century. Toimplement the aggressive goals of this Strategy, theArmy will initiate an integrated planning processthat identifies objectives, initiatives, monitoring andassessment tools, while making the necessary proce-dural changes to assure progress toward theseaggressive goals. Where tools and management ini-tiatives already exist, they will be applied; where theydo not, we will develop them. An accompanyingfunding policy – based on those core principles ofsustainability outlined in this Strategy – will replacethe current, reactive-type funding approach. Bydoing so, commensurate with other Army require-ments, the Army will plan, program, budget, andexecute to better support the Army mission throughmore sustainable operations, installations, systems,and communities.

Implementation of this Strategy is vital to the Army’scontinued relevance, especially in support of theArmy Campaign Plan. Our readiness and securityare at stake. We will Sustain the Mission – Securethe Future!

MISSION

CO

MM

UN

ITY

EN

VIR

ON

M

ENT

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ARMY STRATEGY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, CONTACT:

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMYFOR INSTALLATIONS AND ENVIRONMENT

110 Army Pentagon, Room 3E464,Washington, DC 20310-0110https://www.asaie.army.mil

“We must strive to become systems thinkers if we are to benefit fromthe interrelationships of the triple bottom line of sustainability: mission,environment, and community.”

– R. L. Brownlee, Acting Secretary of the Army – Peter J. Schoomaker, General, United States Army, Chief of Staff

Printed on recycled paper.