Introduction.

Knowledge of military geology and geography assists commanders in shaping the conduct of battles. At the strategic level, this same knowledge provides a context to better understand the implications of landforms and climate, and the cultural landscape in which forces must operate. It also assists senior national leaders in understanding the overarching impact of distance in determining the ability of military forces to wage wars thousands of miles from the United States or their overseas home bases. At the same time as 21st century leaders prepare their forces to engage in combat, they are expected to act as sensitive stewards of the worldwide installations from which their forces are launched. They must not only support the maintenance and repair of the facilities at these installations but also provide for, under US and foreign environmental laws and policies, the protection and enhancement of the thousands of acres of natural environment at these locations and the diverse species that inhabit them. They must know and understand the non-battle landscape that surrounds them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]