CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The 437th Comptroller Squadron will be cutting over and consolidating their travel pay services to Ellsworth AFB, S.D., today.
Members who need to file their travel pay will now have their travel pay processed at the Air Force Financial Services Center, and by summer, military pay services will also be sent to South Dakota.
The advantage for military finance programs being consolidated to one service center is that customers will be able to have faster and more accurate access to their military pay 24/7, said Maj. Seung Paik, 437 CPTS commander.
Once the service center is fully manned and all services have been transferred, services will be more accessible for customers. Members will have the option of either getting online to check the status of their travel pay or any finance issues they may have with their military pay. They will also be able to call the center and speak with a person directly to answer any questions they may have.
Though the completed center will have services that are beneficial to Airmen, "there will be growing pains along the way," Major Paik said.
One area that will cause delays in the processing of financial services will be in the area of the Air Force Financial Services Center members learning the new systems and how the new unit will organize and train.
"The center, initially, will be manned with 80 percent military members and 20 percent civilians," said Major Paik. The goal for the Air Force is to have 20 percent military members and 80 percent civilians. "This will be a better situation, because civilians working in the AFFSC will be trained and provide a level of continuity and expertise to their customers."
"In the short term, it will be painful -- especially for Reservists," said Major Paik. "The usual turn around time for Reservists' travel pay is three to five days. Now with the consolidation, Reservists can expect a 20-30 day wait because we will have to scan their travel pay information manually and then forward it to Ellsworth. Then once it arrives there, the members will have to input the information manually at that location. Any issues that may arise from inaccurate travel information will also delay the process."
"But the Air Force goal, eventually, is to have one travel pay system for both the Reservists and active-duty Airmen," Major Paik said. More than likely, it will be the Defense Travel System, currently used by active-duty members, he said.
Though the immediate affect of the cut-over might be felt by the Reservists, Major Paik said he would also like all Team Charleston members to stay vigilant regarding their finances.
"When you get back from a temporary duty assignment, file your travel pay information right away," Major Paik said. "When you file, double check for accuracy and maintain copies of all travel documentation."
Air Mobility Command finance leadership is currently working with the government travel card company on extending the grace period for credit cards to help in this transition.
Major Paik advised, "If your travel pay is delayed in processing, and if you have the means to pay the government travel card, go ahead and pay the entire bill, or at least make a partial payment."
The commander also suggested that once military pay is transferred to Ellsworth, members should check their leave and earnings statements regularly.
While travel and military pay will be moving to Ellsworth, 24 finance members will remain here to assist base agencies on budget, accounting and civilian pay issues.