Operational Energy Strategy: Turning the U.S. Military into the most Energy-Efficient Fighting Forces in the World

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to identify, develop, improve, and implement a series of options in operational energy strategy for the Department of Defense utilizing renewable energy sources and turning the U.S. Military into the most Energy-Efficient Fighting Forces in the World (Coren). Energy is an important source of America’s progress, prosperity and development but also it is the basis of instability, crisis, inequality and prominently, environmental deterioration and risk. All those factors are highly accentuated in our military operations where every combatant command has a significant energy related mission. Today war fighting is about 16 times more energy-intensive then the Vietnam War era. Furthermore, oil intensity per war fighter rose 2.6 percent annually for the past 40 years and is anticipated to increase another 1.5 percent annually through 2017 due to greater mechanization, remote expeditionary conflict, rugged terrain, and irregular operations (Lovins). Energy became a vital fighting source that it is closely related to the troops’ survival and success in the battlefield. The paper concludes by arguing that it is fundamental to emphasis the issues presented and because of the energy crisis we are experiencing today there has never been a better time to pursue and consequently execute a concrete energy course of action applied to our military forces that can minimize our troops’ risks and strengthen our national security and global interests.