NEW REPORT - Green Warriors, Army Environmental Considerations for Contingency Operations from Planning Through Post-Conflict

By David E. Mosher, Beth E. Lachman, Michael D. Greenberg, Tiffany Nichols, Brian Rosen, Henry H. WillisCopyright 2008 RAND Corporatio

To access the report visit: http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2008/RAND_MG632.pdf

Excerpt:

"Since 1991, the United States has engaged in military operations in the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, Europe, the Pacific Basin, and
the Caribbean. In many instances, U.S. forces have remained in these areas far longer than was initially anticipated. As a result, U.S. forces have become closely involved in such activities as stability operations, reconstruction, and nation-building. Frequently, these activities are as important to accomplishing the long-term U.S. goals as the combat operations that may have preceded them.

The longer stays and involvement in post-conflict activities have elevated the importance of environmental considerations in U.S. military operations, for a variety of reasons. First, conflicts often occur in countries where the environment poses risks to U.S. forces. Disease, polluted air or water, or toxic substances may present a high risk when the troops remain in the country for only a short time, but a longterm presence greatly increases it. Second, the actions of U.S. forces with respect to the environment become more important because of their effect on the local populace and its support for U.S. goals, including return to local governance. Therefore, U.S. forces need to ensure that they do not contribute to environmental problems by disposing of waste improperly, failing to address environmental problems they create (e.g., fuel spills), or damaging important natural or cultural resources such as farmland and water supplies. Third, reconstruction projects and other activities that improve local environmental conditions can foster a positive attitude toward the United States and the host-nation government that it is supporting. This goodwill can have tangible benefits for U.S. national objectives: It can aid the economic and social developments necessary for long-term stability and improve cooperation with locals, which in turn can improve intelligence, lower security risks, and speed construction and transition to civilian government. Finally, environmental effects can easily transcend national borders, spilling over into neighboring or even distant countries. Given
the importance of other countries to U.S. global military activities, it is important to maintain good relations with them, and poor environmental practices can hinder that process."