June 22, 2016 –
The U.S. Army Reserve is striving for a culture of Soldiers, Family members and Civilians who consciously conserve energy, save water, reduce waste and protect the natural environment for the war fighters of today and tomorrow.
To attain that culture, a carefully assembled council of leaders will serve as inspirations for resource stewardship and guiding forces for sustainability throughout the enterprise.
Army Reserve Sustainability Programs is pleased to announce that the charter for the Army Reserve Senior Sustainability Council (ARSSC) has been signed by the two co-chairmen of the ARSSC: Major General Peter Lennon, Deputy Commanding General (Support) of the Army Reserve, and Mr. James Balocki, Command Executive Officer of the Army Reserve.
“The ARSSC will steer the development of multiple elements of the Army Reserve Sustainability Campaign Plan (ARSCP), enabling the ethos of sustainability to permeate Army Reserve operations and culture,” said Douglas Benson, Chief of the Facility Policy Division, Army Reserve Installation Management Directorate (ARIMD).
Comprised of strategic, operational and tactical levels, the Council assembles stakeholders who have a vested interest in sustainability and its role in the future of the mission. Members include the Army Reserve Command Executive Officer, Directors of Public Works, General Staff representatives and program managers at Installations, the Mission Support Command and Regional Support Commands.
“As we move forward in building the culture necessary to become a true sustainability-focused organization, it is important to have support and ownership across all levels of the Army Reserve,” said Paul Wirt, Chief of the Army Reserve Sustainability Programs Branch, ARIMD. Wirt went on to explain how the tiered approach of the ARSSC at the general officer (strategic) level, directorate (operational) level and subject matter expert (tactical) level ensures maximum engagement throughout Army Reserve base operations.
Benson and Wirt added that the structure of the ARSSC allows the body to be especially effective because it is reflective of the Commands in charge of program delivery and includes five rotating Operational, Functional, Training and Support Command representatives who are responsible for the Soldiers and Civilians who will ultimately be the target audiences for sustainability programs.
“The achievement of having a fully vetted and now approved charter solidifies sustainability as a long-term, enduring characteristic of mission readiness and resiliency,” Benson continued. “It assures us of Senior Leader attention to the strategic direction of the sustainability portfolio, and it establishes a normalized, recurring battle rhythm that inexorably drives accomplishment. Furthermore, support for these initiatives at all levels of the enterprise will position the Army Reserve to become a leader in sustainability – not only within the Department of Defense but across the globe as well.”
To learn more about the Army Reserve and its sustainability programs, visit www.usar.army.mil or www.usarsustainability.com. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USARSustainability and follow us on Twitter @USARGoGreen.