DoD Instruction 4715.13

Department of Defense

INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 4715.13
November 15, 2005
USD(AT&L)
SUBJECT: DoD Noise Program
References: (a) DoD Directive 5134.1, “Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition,
Technology, and Logistics (USD(AT&L)),” December 9, 2005
(b) DoD Directive 5124.2, “Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and
Readiness (USD(P&R)),” October 31, 1994
(c) DoD Instruction 4165.57, “Air Installations Compatible Use Zones,”
November 8, 1977
(d) DoD Directive 5000.1, “The Defense Acquisition System,” May 12, 2003
(e) through (g), see enclosure 1

1. PURPOSE
Under the authority of reference (a) and in conformance with reference (b), this Instruction
establishes policy and assigns responsibilities for a coordinated DoD noise program. It also
provides for establishment of a DoD Noise Working Group (DNWG).

2. APPLICABILITY
This Instruction applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, the
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector
General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all
other organizational entities within the Department of Defense (hereafter referred to collectively
as the “DoD Components”).

3. DEFINITION
Noise. For the purposes of this Instruction, noise is defined as unwanted sound generated from
the operation of military weapons or weapons systems (e.g., aircraft, small arms, tank guns,
artillery, missiles, bombs, rockets, mortars, and explosives) that affects either people, animals
(domestic or wild), or structures on or in areas in proximity of a military installation;

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occupational noise exposure and underwater sound associated with ship testing and training
activities are specifically excluded from this definition.

4. POLICY
The DoD noise program shall:
4.1. Reduce adverse effects from the noise associated with military test and training
operations consistent with maintaining military readiness.
4.2. Consider the adverse effects of noise from military weapons or weapons systems on the
ability to test, train, and operate weapons systems during the development of Initial Capabilities
Documents, Capability Development Documents, Capability Production Documents and
Capstone Requirements Documents and throughout the Joint Capabilities Integration and
Development System and associated acquisition processes.
4.3. Integrate, without degrading mission capabilities, noise management techniques and
principles into installation, operational range, and operating area plans and programs and
incorporate into Air Installation Compatible Use Zone and Joint Land Use Study program efforts
(reference (c) and DoD Instruction 3030.3 (reference (g)).
4.4. Promote scientific research and the use of sound scientific methods and validated noise
data as the basis for and the establishment of noise program guidance.
4.5. Promote the development of initiatives to educate and train DoD military, civilian and
contractor personnel, and the public on noise issues.
4.6. Leverage resources to the maximum extent possible by ensuring the coordination of
DoD noise program initiatives among the Department of Defense and other Federal Agencies.
4.7. Promote outreach with entities affected by noise generated from the operation of
military weapons and weapons systems.

5. RESPONSIBILITIES
5.1. The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics
(USD(AT&L)) shall:
5.1.1. Provide policy, guidance, oversight, and representation for the DoD noise
program.
5.1.2. Establish noise policy and guidance that fully addresses military readiness
considerations and ensures noise impacts are considered in the development, acquisition, and

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fielding of weapons and weapons systems, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense
for Personnel and Readiness and the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation.
5.1.3. Review USD(AT&L) DoD Directives 4165.57 and 5000.1 (references (c) and (d))
and DoD Instruction 4715.9 (reference (e)), and supporting references for consistency, revision,
and elimination of duplicative requirements.
5.2. The Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations and Environment
(DUSD(I&E)), under the USD(AT&L), shall:
5.2.1. Develop and promulgate goals and objectives for the DoD noise program and
establish metrics to evaluate progress toward meeting those goals and objectives.
5.2.2. Develop DoD noise program guidance and establish requirements and priorities
for use in DoD Component planning, programming, and budgeting, in consultation with the DoD
Components.
5.2.3. Consult with the Military Departments on their various installation compatible
land use and noise management programs through the DNWG and the Range Sustainment
Working Integrated Product Team process.
5.2.4. Establish, support, and provide guidance to a DNWG that includes representatives
from the Military Departments. The DNWG shall:
5.2.4.1. Evaluate and advise the DUSD(I&E) and the DoD Components on noiserelated issues that have a bearing on the Department of Defense’s ability to carry out its assigned
mission requirements.
5.2.4.2. Coordinate and provide recommendations on technical and policy issues
concerning noise associated with military testing and training activities and the impacts of such
noise.
5.2.4.3. Represent DUSD(I&E) at meetings of the Federal Interagency Committee on
Aviation Noise and maintain liaison with other Federal and State Agencies, nongovernmental
organizations, professional organizations, educational institutions, and industries having similar
interests or responsibilities.
5.3 The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness shall:
5.3.1. Coordinate on all policy and guidance issued by the USD(AT&L) regarding the
DoD noise program to ensure the policy and guidance fully address military readiness
considerations.
5.3.2. Review DoD Directive 3200.15 (reference (f)) and supporting issuances for
consistency, revision, and elimination of duplicative requirements.

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5.4 The Director of Operational Test and Evaluation shall coordinate on all policy and
guidance issued by USD(AT&L) regarding the DoD noise program to ensure the policy and
guidance fully consider impacts on testing and evaluation and the operations of the Major Range
and Test Facility Base within the Department.
5.5. The Heads of the DoD Components shall:
5.5.1. Provide management support, resources, and professionally qualified staff
sufficient to ensure effective implementation of the DoD noise program at all organizational
levels.
5.5.2. Provide representatives to the DNWG.
5.5.3. Analyze current and future test and training needs to support effective planning,
programming, budgeting, and execution of DoD noise program requirements.
5.6. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall ensure the impacts of noise emissions on
the ability to train and operate are considered during the Joint Capabilities Integration and
Development System process.

6. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Instruction is effective immediately.

Enclosures - 1
E1. References, continued

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E1. ENCLOSURE 1
REFERENCES, continued
(e) DoD Instruction 4715.9, “Environmental Planning and Analysis,” May 3, 1996
(f) DoD Directive 3200.15, “Sustainment of Ranges and Operating Areas (OPAREAs),”
January 10, 2003
(g) DoD Instruction 3030.3, “Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) Program,” July 13, 2004

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ENCLOSURE 1