It used to be that military green meant the color of a soldier’s fatigues. But these days, military green is more about embracing green energy and green technologies than the color of a uniform.

During 2008, the U.S. Navy  and Marine Corp introduced a number of green initiatives to reduce its overall energy consumption.

Today, the Defense Department gets almost 10 percent of its power from alternative sources, and with the help of the economic stimulus package, is hoping to increase it’s use of wind, solar, thermal and nuclear energy.

Many of the latest military green actions are taking place at Fort Irwin in California”Ëœs Mohave Desert. Plug-in cars, solar panels and even a wind turbine are just a few of the fixtures at this military base which is taking its role as testing ground and showcase for green initiatives seriously.

Soldiers are sleeping in tents covered in two to three inches of insulating foam and a solar-reflective coating, resulting in nearly 50% reduction in generator needs. Desert training areas are being powered by  wind, solar, and organic waste-to-fuel technologies. Plug-in vehicles provide transportation and the computers are generated by solar power.

Having the military going green is not only good for the environment. Turns out it’s also good for the budget. Officials are estimating that green initiatives are saving the the military (and therefore the taxpayers) millions of dollars.

But, considered from a different point of view, the military is also responsible for an enormous amount of intentional environmental destruction – not to mention the great loss of human lives in sometimes questionable conflicts. What do you think?

Image: gopal1035