The challenges of the future require the military
and its leaders to possess agility to ultimately be suc-
cessful. This agility is the product of rigorous edu-
cation, appropriate application of technology, and a
rich understanding of the social and political context
in which military operations are conducted (The Joint
Operations Environment 2010). Sustainability and
the systems approach it applies serve as an enabler of
military operational agility. In the final analysis, sus-
tainability is simply about being better today and in
the future by applying a systems-thinking approach
with a focus on resource optimization. It is about be-
ing better through the enhancement of mission capa-
bilities while reducing both financial burden and risk.
References
Association of the United States Army, 2007. Sustain-
ing the Mission Preserving the Environment Securing
the Future, Torchbearer National Security Report,
February 2007.
Association of the United States Army, 2011. U.S.
Army Energy Security and Sustainability: Vital to Na-
tional Defense, Torchbearer National Security Re-
port, April 2011.
Blackburn, William R. 2007. The Sustainability Hand-
book, Environmental Law Institute, 2007.
Bohannon, Dennis K. 2011. U.S. Army Operational
Energy: Onboard and Aiming High, News Feature,
Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for
Installations, Energy and Environment, 04 April
2011.