ing sustainability into operational planning
and execution, so the Army can continue to ef-
fectively train today and in perpetuity.
- Expanding our commitment to sustainability
by instilling sustainable practices into all levels
of our Soldier and Civilian education programs
- Providing services and operating facilities in a
manner that reduces consumption of energy,
water, and other resources, promotes the use of
renewable energy sources, enhances quality of
life, and continues to protect the environment
(Chiarelli 2010, 1).
In addition, a key point on the integration of sus-
tainability in the operational environment lies in the
implementation of the recently published Army Coun-
terinsurgency Manual, FM 3-24. In austere locations
every power source is a concern, not just petroleum.
Basic services rely on some source of power and the
more sustainable the fuel source, the more reliable the
service. Equipment used by U.S. forces is frequently
used to establish initial life support services for host
nation populations whose infrastructure has been
devastated. These services are vulnerable unless self
reliant. The more resilient these services are, the more
effective our operations are. FM 3-24 section 8-39
states:
When U.S. forces restore and transition essential ser-
vices to the HN [host-nation] government, they re-
move one of the principal causes insurgents exploit.
This action greatly assists the HN government in its
struggle for legitimacy. Competent leaders can expect
insurgents to conduct attacks against restored services
(FM 3-24 2006, 8-13).
