Fort Benning
U.S. Army Fort Benning and The Maneuver Center of Excellence
Sustainability Site
Sustainability
Community Outreach Program
Fort Benning leaders are working in concert with Community Partnerships and the various cities, counties and state officials developing a comprehensive sustainability program not only for Fort Benning but the surrounding region. Sustained long-term growth and periodic variations in growth patterns will result in changing land use and potential urban sprawl that threaten the use of installation training lands and can possibly impact the quality of life in the region. Cooperation between Fort Benning and the surrounding community has been very prosperous and will continue raise public awareness of developing information with regards to "Smart Growth".
Army Sustainability
Summary: Sustainability is a critical enabler in the performance of the Army's mission, as its importance and benefits cut across the entire Army enterprise. As a foundation, the Army is integrating sustainability into its four lines of operation — materiel, military training, personnel, and services and infrastructure. By implementing sustainability principles and practices, the Army is decreasing future mission constraints, increasing operational flexibility and resilience, safeguarding human health and the environment, and improving quality of life for Soldiers and local communities.
Senior Leaders of today's Army are making a directed effort to embed sustainability into Army culture, from both the top-down and the bottom-up. Launching the Army Net Zero Initiative, as well as establishing the Senior Energy and Sustainability Council (SESC), both in 2011, are two examples of key sustainability efforts stemming from the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Energy and Sustainability (ODASA(E&S)). Net Zero applies the principles of integrated design to ensure the Army appropriately manages its energy, water and waste resources. The Net Zero Pilot Installations, which were self-nominated, are serving as test beds to identify lessons learned and best practices to be institutionalized across the Army enterprise. The SESC, to which the DASA(E&S) serves as Executive Secretary, provides strategic direction to integrate energy and sustainability into Army policies, plans and programs. Sustainability initiatives such as these preserve choice for the Army of tomorrow, at a cost it can afford, now and in the future.