he 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment and Staff Sgt. Michelle Elam, Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cavalry Sustainment Brigade, are exceeding environmental standards, balancing both mission readiness and environmental stewardship and achieving 100 percent on their assessments.
Recognized for their proactive environmental programs, 7-158th Avn. Regt. and Elam were presented the Environmental Stewardship Award for a Military Unit and Military Individual at the recent Hood Hero Award Ceremony. The award is based on performance by activities and individuals that exhibit the highest level of commitment to Fort Hood’s environmental program and received a green rating on their latest annual or semi-annual assessment.
7-158th Avn. Regt.
With a footprint spanning across 2,500 miles from Alabama to Kansas to California, the 7-158th Avn. Regt. is leading the way in compliance and promoting environmental stewardship. Senior leadership and the battalion’s maintenance and environmental compliance officers have made compliance a part of their daily battle rhythm.
“When compliance becomes a part of the daily or weekly norm, it’s not going to interfere with the mission and you won’t get calls for non-compliance,” Chief Warrant Officer 3 Joseph Phillips, battalion maintenance officer, 7-158th Avn. Regt., said. “If it’s maintained on a regular basis, it doesn’t have to be time intensive on your Soldiers.”
Helping to maintain the battle rhythm for eight companies in six different locations is Sgt. William Irizarry, battalion environmental compliance officer. His influence via teleconference, email and phone is an example of Irizarry’s commitment to ensure compliance in multiple footprints.
“You’ve got to have that dedication, sense of duty and have an inspired, motivated NCO like Sgt. Irizarry,” Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Rodgers, battalion command sergeant major, 7-158th Avn. Regt., said. “He took the environmental program from the backyard to the front and made it all pretty and now the crowds come by and look at it.”
Previously, the environmental program had a failure rating of 54 percent, but Irizarry developed a formula for success.
“It was very challenging because a lot of programs had to be established but with the help of leadership, the program was turned around in a year,” he said. “The key is to follow the routine, maintain and enforce the standard and make your Soldiers knowledgeable of the installation’s regulations.”
Lt. Col. Tracey Kennepp, battalion commander, 7-158 Avn. Regt. emphasized that once the standard is set, it has to be maintained.
“Working together with the command sergeant major on any issues, we do whatever we can do to get the resources our Soldiers need and set the standard and keep the standard,” Kennepp said. “If you waive around that standard, it will never get back to where you want it to be.”
Special Troops Battalion
When Elam became the battalion’s environmental compliance officer in November 2016, she inherited a neglected motor pool with a struggling environmental program. But within 30 days, she transformed the battalion’s program from an amber status to a green status within and has since maintained a high level of compliance.
“It takes a village, and that village/team needs a leader to spearhead those efforts,” Lt. Col James Clark, battalion commander, STB, said. “We rely on Staff Sgt. Elam as the SME and our battalion environmental representative to do her job and do it well.”
While focused on being combat ready and operational ready for any mission, Elam and her maintenance team also ensure they are meeting the installation’s environmental mission.
“As a team, we work together to meet the standards of environmental compliance, recycling and energy conservation,” Elam said. “We ensure we are always abiding by Fort Hood’s regulations and the Army’s standard in order to fulfill the mission.”
Elam encouraged units to do daily and monthly checks within their footprint, and take advantage of the resources from courtesy inspections and checklists.
“When you get the professionals to come out for a courtesy, they explain the standard and any common faults, they have seen across Fort Hood, to set you up for success on your formal inspection,” Elam said. “There is always a checklist where you are graded on and if that is the minimum standard, then you won’t have any issues.”
With the support of her maintenance team, battalion executive officer and battalion commander, Elam is provided the resources to incorporate compliance into their day to day operations.
“I am nothing without my team and without the support from my leadership,” Elam said. “It is a team effort on multiple levels and I am grateful everyone has been supportive and helpful.”
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