WIESBADEN, Germany - There's a green wave rolling over U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden -- one unit and organization at a time.
U.S. Army Europe's Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion is the latest to receive Green Boot certification for its members' efforts to conserve resources, recycle and cut back on wasteful energy practices.
"I didn't really see how important this was until I took the training and the inspectors pointed out how many thousands of dollars are lost each day through simple things," said 2nd Lt. Ryan Allen, battalion S-4. "Our biggest thing was specifically looking into the amount of energy consumed by lights. Now we make sure all of the hallway lights are out when people leave at night."
Installing recycle bins at each desk and ensuring that company environmental officers took the required eight hours of online training were also part of the Green Boot effort.
"Basically we went through the prep list and got the building in accordance with the Green Boot checklist," said Spc. Eric Suttles, a member of the command group who worked with energy and recycling experts from the garrison's Directorate of Public Works to ensure compliance. "It seemed relatively routine and actually went pretty smoothly.
"I believe this is important in order to put funds where they're needed -- such as in the schools, for Army training, and it's doing good by our environment," Suttles said.
"The effort behind this is continuing to work with the units to get them to meet the standard," said Col. David Carstens, USAG Wiesbaden commander as he recognized HHB USAREUR with the Green Boot certification.
"We're trying to keep the momentum going," said Maj. William McGlothlin, operations officer of USAG Wiesbaden's Directorate of Public Works, adding that several other local units are in the process of working with the Green Boot team to become certified. "Our goal is to increase awareness by building relationships between the tenant units and the garrison."
One of the positive benefits of working with the different units and organizations throughout the garrison is identifying best practices which can in turn be shared throughout the command. "We're not only building relationships, but saving money and teaching Soldiers valuable practices which can be used both in garrison and while deployed," McGlothlin said.
Besides helping meet the U.S. Army's Energy Policy Act of reducing consumption by 3 percent annually, USAG Wiesbaden's Green Boot Program is also aimed at ensuring Americans do their part to protect the environment, McGlothlin said. "We want to show our host nation neighbors that we are good stewards."
Once units and organizations earn Green Boot certification they are expected to continue monitoring their energy and recycling programs, to recertify a year later and then every two years after that, he said. The incentive is retaining the coveted Green Boot certificate while helping reduce the Army's ecological footprint.
For more information about the Green Boot program call Maj. McGlothlin at mil 337-5840 or email William.p.mcglothlin.mil@mail.mil.
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