Eco Friendly Army

Eco Friendly Army?

I recently saw a presentation that was very touching. It was the reunion of an Army soldier with his family.

L3Photography

During this holiday season this video reminded me of a few of the things I am thankful for – the top one is my family. And then I begin to think about the military people who are serving our country and who are away from their families.

I was then reminded of a conference that I attended this past year in Columbus, GA – The Georgia Alabama Partnership for Sustainability (GAPS Conference).   I walked away from that conference with a different view of the US Army.

I know “Eco Friendly Army” sounds like an oxymoron. However, what you may not know is that the US Army is engaged and even committed to using clean technology. They have established the Army Environmental Policy Institute (AEPI): Connecting Today’s Army to Tomorrow’s World.
They have a triple bottom line – Mission, Environment, and Community

Sustain the Mission – Secure The Future

5 Eco ways of the US Army (Eco Friendly Army)

1)  All new construction for the Army, starting with FY08 has to meet the LEED® Silver rating

2)  The Army also issued a policy for the use of non-water using urinals in all new construction beginning in FY10

3)  Working to achieve zero energy housing technologies and design strategies for military family housing. The Army is  currently building the largest solar powered communities in the world in Hawaii.

4) Working towards creating self sustaining units – so when a unit is placed they are self sustaining from their water, food, latrines, energy, fuel, etc. (source: author’s notes from the GAPS Conference 2009)

5) Beginning stages of using Hybrid Combat Vehicles

The military has been on the leading edge of technology for years. The first “cell phone” was made in the 1940’s by Motorola for use by the military; the beginning technology that is the basis for GPS was developed for the military in 1959.

“Pay attention: When the US Army desegregated, the country really desegregated; when the Army goes green, the country could really go green.” Thomas Friedman, Pulitzer Prize Winner, Author of Hot, Flat and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution and How It Can Renew America

Does Eco Friendly = Army?

Disclaimer:  The photos and other content of this publication do not imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense.