|
RDL Homepage |
Table of Contents |
Document Information |
Download Instructions |
LESSON 3
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
LESSON DESCRIPTION
This lesson discusses the US Army's environmental responsibility and the soldier's personal responsibility.
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
ACTION: |
You will learn to identify Army and personal training responsibilities that affect the environment. |
CONDITION: |
You will be given the material contained in this lesson. You will work at your own pace and in your own selected environment with no supervision. |
STANDARD: |
You will correctly answer questions on the practice exercise at the end of the lesson. |
REFERENCES: |
The material contained in this lesson was derived from AR 200-1, AR 200-2, FM 3-100.4, TC 3-34.489, and TVT 5-56P1. |
The Army's environmental vision sets goals that the Army will try to achieve. Applying the strategy of compliance, prevention, and conservation to a job is one way to help achieve these goals. The Army has accepted its environmental responsibilities, but the Army's environmental ethic places responsibility on soldiers to make good environmental decisions each day.
3-1. Army Responsibility. The Army is responsible for taking care of the resources entrusted to it by the American people, and this includes the environment. It is not only morally right, but by caring for the environment, the Army avoids expensive cleanups that detract for readiness and limit the Army's ability to wage war.
a. Based on its commitment to environmental protection, the Army will conduct its operations in ways that minimize environmental impacts. The Army will—
Comply with all environmental laws and regulations. This includes federal, state, local, and HN laws.
Prevent pollution at the source by reducing, reusing, and recycling material that causes pollution.
Conserve and preserve natural and cultural resources so that they will be available for present and future generations.
b. Soldiers can support these efforts by—
Complying with installation environmental policies, unit SOPs, ARs, and environmental laws and guidelines.
Preventing environmental damage and pollution by reducing, reusing, and recycling waste material.
3-2. Personal Responsibility. Everyone faces situations that require him or her to make decisions concerning the environment. The decision may be whether to empty a bucket of solvent on the ground or carry it to an accumulation point. To make good decisions, ask yourself the following questions:
What are my orders? Look to your leaders for guidance, and ensure that you understand what they expect. If instructions are unclear or confusing, ask for help. Review unit SOPs for environmental guidance.
What have I been trained to do? Ask this question in the absence of specific orders or guidance. This manual provides guidance on how to perform tasks in an environmentally safe manner. Following these guidelines ensures compliance with federal environmental guidelines.
What does my concept of right and wrong tell me to do? Ask this question in the absence of training and orders. Most people know when an action will harm the environment. Do not perform environmentally dangerous tasks without proper guidance, especially if you have not been trained on the task or if you doubt it is correct.
3-3. Summary. The Army expects soldiers to share its vision of environmental protection. By complying with environmental regulations, preventing pollution and conserving resources, soldiers can support the Army's vision and its environmental goals.
