ROLES
2–1. Background
Proper management of field waste is critical in protecting the health of Soldiers and the environment. Improper handling can create dangerous working conditions, damage vital natural resources, impede mission accomplishment, and cause irreparable harm to training areas. Poor waste management practices can also lead to criminal and civil penalties, substantial cleanup costs, and detract from the military’s relationships with local communities and host nations. As a result, the DOD demands integration of environmental considerations into all military planning and decision making. Sound environmental stewardship helps keep the Army relevant and ready.
2–2. Roles
a. Commanders at all levels will—
(1) Ensure the proper management of their unit’s waste, and ensure management practices are protective of human health and the environment.
(2) Ensure subordinates are trained on proper waste handling and disposal procedures.
(3) Strive to instill an environmental ethic in every Soldier.
b. Logistics staffs (for example, S-4, G-4, or J-4) will plan, coordinate, task, and fund waste management support.
c. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) will—
(1) Contract removal and disposal of hazardous and special wastes through the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service (DRMS).
(2) Identify opportunities for reutilization, transfer, donation, or sale of other solid wastes.
d. Preventive medicine personnel/units will—
(1) Provide technical oversight of waste management programs, and assist commanders and staffs with the development and revision of waste management policies.
(2) Coordinate with contracting officers (via logistics staff) to ensure the impact on Soldier health is considered in all waste disposal contracts.
(3) Monitor environmental compliance during deployments and provide input to the Defense Contract Management Agency’s Quality Assurance Representatives regarding contractor performance.
(4) Conduct occupational and environmental health surveillance sampling to assess and document exposures during waste management activities.
(5) Assist commanders with risk communication programs in order to address and minimize concerns related to waste management methods.
e. Directorate of Public Works (DPW) will—
(1) Establish installation waste management policies.
(2) Provide direct waste management support to tenant units in garrison.
f. Engineers will manage the disposal of all categories of wastes (except medical waste) in a theater of operations. The Corps of Engineers, facility engineer units, and maneuver engineer units often fill the role of the DPW in field settings. Engineering support may also be provided by civilian contractors, Navy Seabees, or Air Force RED HORSE units.
g. Contractors will adhere to all environmental requirements specified in their contracts. The current policy within the continental United States (CONUS) and outside the continental United States (OCONUS) installations, and forward-deployed bases, is to contract waste management as much as possible. The Logistics Civil Augmentation Program provides a large portion of this support during contingency operations.
h. Contracting Officers will—
(1) Determine which environmental and waste disposal requirements are included in contracts.
(2) Decide how those contracts will be administered. Contracting officers are the only personnel authorized to modify a contract.
i. Unit Field Sanitation Teams (FSTs) will—
(1) Provide waste management assistance at the company level and below.
(2) Assist in the construction and maintenance of solid and human waste disposal devices.
(3) Monitor company-level waste management programs, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
(4) Provide recommendations on waste reduction to the command.
j. Individual Soldiers will—
(1) Comply with all applicable environmental requirements, including installation policies and unit standing operating procedures (SOPs).
(2) Take action to prevent environmental damage.
(3) Inform the chain of command of any spills or other violations.
(4) Provide recommendations to improve current waste management practices.
(5) Use proper PPE during waste management activities.