BATTLE CREEK, Mich –
The following story was adapted from a Fort Cavazos news item written by Christine Luciano, DPW Environmental
In a display of environmental stewardship and community responsibility, soldiers stationed in Texas’ Fort Cavazos spread out across the installation and training areas to tackle illegal dumping during a post-wide cleanup.
The cleanup events, held twice a year, aim to combat the growing challenge of illegal dumping. From tires and furniture to appliances and construction waste, the training areas have become a target for those seeking to dispose of materials improperly.
Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services at Fort Cavazos assists the community by accepting found tires and inspecting other items collected to ensure that no military equipment, especially demilitarization-required equipment, is released through the base cleanup.
The 504th Military Intelligence Brigade was one of many military units who recently tackled the task with determination. Sgt. Maj. Ryan Munroe, a 504th operations sergeant major, explained that his experience participating in two prior cleanup events provided him with valuable insights into the logistics preparation.
“Scouting our areas beforehand has proven to be a game changer in terms of the warfighter’s time management and effectiveness,” Munroe said. “Illegal dumping shows a lack of respect for the warfighter and directly impacts our ability to train effectively and safely. The more time we spend, training-hour wise, coming out here and cleaning up after irresponsible individuals is time that an intelligence soldier isn’t working on problems going on around the globe.”
Throughout the day, vehicles headed to the consolidation point to unload items into collection containers for trash, metal, and concertina wire, and designated areas for hazardous materials and items for DLA Disposition Services.
Grady Rhoades, DLA’s property disposal lead at Fort Cavazos, said that this cleanup was different than others in the past.
“This was the first time that no military equipment was collected,” he said. “We inspect all the items that the soldiers collect, and this was a significant milestone.”
By the end of the week, soldiers collected 67,200 pounds of trash, 21,640 pounds of scrap metal, and 1,180 pounds of concertina wire.
Rhoades noted that DLA took in 121 tires from the base cleanup.
“The soldiers collected them, and the DLA team ensured that they did not end up in a landfill,” he said.