Over the past five months as the new commander of the U.S. Army Environmental Command (USAEC), I have been honored to learn and lead an organization whose mission is essential to both Army readiness and environmental protection.
Born in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and raised in Hawaii, I have a deep appreciation for the environment and understand how vital it is to our well-being, culture, and economy. The unique landscapes of my home have shaped my perspective on the interconnectedness of environmental stewardship to not only protect the land and resources, but also enhance our mission readiness and contribute to a sustainable future for everyone.
My goal is to ensure that the Army balances its operational needs with its responsibility to protect the environment. This isn’t just a goal—it’s a necessity.
And none of it would be possible without the quiet, dedicated Army civilian professionals who work behind the scenes to make this mission a reality.
Our civilian workforce is the backbone of USAEC, bringing years of experience, technical expertise, and a strong commitment to ensuring the Army meets its environmental obligations in a cost-effective manner. These professionals work across key areas to include conservation, compliance, cultural resource management, cleanup, and restoration. Their efforts not only help maintain the Army’s mission readiness but also generate economic benefits by optimizing resource use, preventing costly environmental liabilities, and ensuring long-term sustainability of the lands and resources entrusted to us.
Mission-Focused Environmental Stewardship
A key focus of mine is ensuring our environmental efforts align with the Army’s mission. We must protect the lands we train on while ensuring that our Soldiers have the space and resources needed to stay prepared.
The Army Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program is a great example of this. REPI works with local communities to preserve private lands around military installations, preventing encroachment that could limit training. But it’s the expertise of our civilian environmental specialists and land managers that makes REPI successful. They collaborate with partners to protect vital ecosystems while supporting Army readiness.
Protecting Cultural Resources
Another essential area we focus on is protecting cultural resources. The Army’s training lands contain thousands of archaeological sites and historical landmarks, and it’s our duty to preserve these important pieces of our heritage. Our civilian cultural resource managers work closely with Army installations, Native American tribes, state preservation offices, and local communities to ensure these sites are protected.
Our teams navigate complex regulations, such as the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), while keeping our training lands available for use. These experts work tirelessly behind the scenes, balancing the need to protect history with the need for military readiness.
Compliance, Cleanup, and Long-Term Benefits
Environmental compliance and cleanup are areas where our skilled civilian professionals not only excel but also drive significant cost savings for the Army.
Our teams ensure that we meet state and federal environmental standards in a responsible, efficient manner, avoiding costly fines and penalties. By monitoring compliance with regulations like the Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, they help the Army maintain operational capabilities while minimizing financial risks.
I’m especially proud of our environmental cleanup and restoration efforts. Many Army installations face long-term contamination challenges that require highly technical, cost-intensive solutions. AEC technical experts address these issues with precision and determination, ensuring that Army lands remain safe for future training while reducing the financial burden of environmental liabilities for the Army.
Environmental sustainability is not just about protecting natural resources—it’s about long-term economic benefits.
By investing in cleanup and compliance efforts now, we prevent costly future liabilities and ensure that Soldiers have safe, healthy training environments. The work our civilian professionals do saves the Army millions in potential future costs.
AEC experts constantly look for ways to reduce expenses while improving environmental outcomes, knowing that Army readiness and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. Their quiet, behind-the-scenes efforts ensure that we meet our environmental obligations without compromising mission success.
Quiet Dedication, Lasting Impact
The professionals at USAEC have been doing this work for more than 50 years, often without recognition.
They rarely make headlines, but their contributions have a lasting impact on the Army and the communities we serve.
Their dedication and commitment embody the Army values of selfless service and duty, and it’s because of them that the Army can continue to train, deploy, and defend our nation.
As I begin my tenure as USAEC Commander, I am proud to lead a team of highly experienced professionals whose expertise is integral to everything we do. Their work not only ensures environmental stewardship but also delivers significant economic benefits by reducing future liabilities and operational costs. I will continue to champion their efforts to optimize our resources, aligning sustainability with cost efficiency. Together, we will ensure that the Army remains operationally ready while managing our environmental responsibilities in a way that benefits both the Army’s mission and its budget.
Success in this mission is not about recognition—it’s about safeguarding the Army’s long-term ability to defend the nation while preserving valuable resources and cutting costs. With the support of this exceptional team of Army civilian professionals, I am ready to meet that challenge head-on.
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