1-1 Environmental Vision. Caring for the environment begins with the Army's vision of
environmental responsibility. The US Army Environmental Strategy into the 21st Century describes
what the Army expects of soldiers:
"The Army will integrate environmental values into its mission in order to sustain readiness, improve
the soldier's quality of life, strengthen community relationships, and provide sound stewardship of
resources."
a. Taking care of the environment protects human health and safety and guards natural
resources. For example, when fuel spills on the ground, it soaks into the soil, poisons plants, and
eventually enters streams and lakes that supply drinking water.
b. Caring for the environment also supports the Army mission. Costly environmental cleanups
detract from Army readiness. During war, many wise tactical, medical, or operations security
(OPSEC) practices are also good environmental practices. Handling fuels safely, maintaining
vehicles, disposing of solid waste/hazardous waste (HW), and managing and turning in ammunition
properly are sound environmental and tactical considerations that carry over from training into
combat operations.
c. Many practices that damage the environment waste time and do not lead to success in
combat. One example occurred during the Gulf War when Iraqi soldiers set fire to Kuwaiti oil fields
and poured millions of gallons of crude oil into the Persian Gulf. The Iraqi Army deliberately
damaged environmental resources and wasted valuable time and effort on activities that did not stop
the allies' advance. Remember, environmental stewardship does not prevent the Army from fighting
and winning wars; it supports the Army mission.
1-2. Environmental Ethic. FM 22-100, Army Leadership, defines ethics as principles or standards
that guide soldiers and professionals to do the moral or right thing. The environmental ethic is as
follows:
"We will take care of the environment because it is the right thing to do."
a. The Army's environmental ethic is the operating principle and value governing soldiers,
units, and the entire Army. Damage to land, water, and air can be reduced by considering the effects
of training, operations, and logistical activities on the environment and by properly managing
hazardous material and waste properly. Doing what is best for the environment helps ensure that
space will be available to conduct future training. Soldiers put this ethic into practice by ─
Complying with installation environmental policies, unit standing operating procedures
(SOPs), AR, and environmental laws and guidelines.
Preventing environmental damage and pollution by making sound decisions that will
not harm the environment.
Advising the chain of command when unit actions do not comply with environmental
guidelines.
Supporting the Army recycling program.
Reporting hazardous material (HM) and HW spills immediately.
EN 5700
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