Making sound environmental decisions in the absence of a supervisor or proper
guidance.
b. Stewardship is the key element in the Army's environmental ethic. The Army's leaders,
from squad leader to company commander, serve as basic environmental stewards. They have a
professional and personal responsibility to understand and support the Army's environmental
program. The Army is charged with protecting and defending the nation and its people, including
safeguarding the environment. The Army is entrusted with more than 12 million acres (almost
19,000 square miles) of federal land. The American people expect the Army to use and manage
these resources wisely. Environmental stewardship must be built into everything that units and
soldiers do to--
Enhance combat readiness.
Ensure mission completion.
Conserve the fighting strength.
Protect the environment.
Reduce current and future costs for environmental restoration.
1-3. Strategy. Based on the vision and the ethic, the Army seeks to conduct operations that are
environmentally sustainable, enhance the quality of life, and improve national security. The Army's
strategy is to--
Comply with all environmental laws and regulations.
Prevent pollution at the source by reducing, reusing, or recycling materials that cause
Conserve and preserve natural and cultural resources so that they will be available for
present and future generations.
Restore contaminated sites as quickly as possible.
Figure 1 shows the Army's environmental strategy model. This strategy is founded on the bedrock of
shared national values, which ties the Army to the nation and gives it stability. The key building
blocks--people, resources, communication, management, and organization--provide the foundation
for all Army activities, including environmental stewardship. These building blocks support the
Army's tradition of leadership. Strong commitment to each part of the foundation is critical to ensure
a solid base for environmental initiatives and long-term success. Army leadership, coupled with the
building blocks, provides a sound footing for the four pillars of compliance, restoration, prevention,
and conservation. These pillars represent parts of the environment that must work together.
1-3
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