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NEWS | March 14, 2013

Commentary: The Army National Guard is a natural leader in sustainability

By Col. Michael J. Bouchard Army National Guard

ARLINGTON, Va. - We may be coming into a sort of forced period of hunger but sometimes it takes a crisis to change for the better. As we are deploying less and less, there is a shift away from our singular focus on Soldier survivability. We are tightening our belts and turning to efforts at home. We are looking beyond survivability to long-term sustainability.

Sustainability offers a cost-effective strategy to manage our energy, water, land and people wisely. It keeps the Army National Guard capable and innovative into the future.

I want to see the Army National Guard respond to the changes that are coming, continue to make real incremental improvements in resource use, and take on cultural change toward sustainability more directly.

The Guard is the natural leader in sustainability because we are the country – we are the community. We are grassroots. We have Guard members in every congressional district and almost every ZIP code and that puts us in a unique position to affect change across the nation. Each one of us is responsible for making ARNG sustainable.

Sustainability is not an Army National Guard Program in the traditional sense – it is a way of thinking and organizing. Though it may seem like a hard thing to do while going about day-to-day activities, the Guard is prepared for this kind of cultural change. We are experts at balancing requirements, resources, and operational capabilities over the long term.

We manage a dual mission that results in a constant tug-of-war between state and federal funding, leadership and legislation. Yet, despite the challenge we are the longest-standing force in the American military. Americans rely on us and a sustainable ARNG will embody our motto - 'Always Ready, Always There.'

Change toward sustainability won't happen overnight but we're seeing incremental changes – strong initiatives in every state and territory. There are a number of policies like Executive Orders 13423 and 13514 that call for sustainability measures related to energy and water conservation, and waste reduction. I won't say those policies are not effective, but right now what is really making the difference are the independent concrete changes.

For instance, the Washington National Guard has cut its energy use per square foot nearly in half in the last 15 years. Arizona and Michigan have recycling programs that offset the costs of their own operation. Oregon has cut back on the distance between its armory and Maneuver Area Training Site (MATES), saving on fuel. One forward-deployed Guard member created a convenience center where Soldiers can share unwanted items like mini-fridges and chairs, preventing illegal dumping. Others are sharing their agricultural skills with Afghans to increase crop yields and get water to their fields and homes.

ARNG leadership must embrace and endorse sustainability as a way forward. Through their visibility and influence, ARNG leaders can educate Soldiers and civilians on what sustainability means to our organization. Leadership may share the connection between mission and sustainability; approve and delegate sustainable projects; set goals related to sustainability; and publicly recognize ARNG sustainability champions.

Step by step we will reduce water and energy demand across the Guard, generate more renewable energy and less waste at all ARNG installations, build safer workspaces for our Soldiers and civilians, and work with partners to protect our training lands and the habitats around them. The Army National Guard has a long and proud history of stewardship and leadership that we can honor by integrating sustainability into our planning and management systems.

Editor's note: As the G-4, Army National Guard, Col. Mike Bouchard is responsible for sustaining the readiness of our Soldiers through equipping, facilities construction, operations, maintenance and environmental stewardship. Under his leadership, the ARNG is enhancing mission capabilities by conserving energy, adopting new technology, improving security, reducing costs and maintaining access to training sites.

 

 

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