CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Today we have an $8.5 trillion national debt and the highest budget deficits in our nation's history. But why should you care? Defense spending currently represents about 19 percent of annual federal expenses and about half of federal discretionary expenses, so it is a big target. Even with the Global War on Terrorism, the growth rate in the
Department of Defense's budget will certainly decline in the near future. With the Air Force emphasis on modernizing our weapon systems coupled with lower budget growth rates, we will see significant pressure on our operations and maintenance budgets. For example, our projected fiscal year 2007 O&M base operating support budget for the 437th Airlift Wing will decline by 9 percent versus FY06, a decline exacerbated by inflationary growth. Our mandate is clear -- every member of Team Charleston must stretch every nickel in our wing budget to effectively and efficiently meet our wing's demanding global airlift mission.
While there are a number of initiatives such as Air Force Smart Operations 21, LEAN and the Program Budget Decision 720 personnel and contract reductions which drive us to greater efficiencies, I want to focus briefly on travel budgets. Travel is very important since it is the first area typically reduced as budgets decline. It is also the one area where each of us can make an impact. In fact, the federal travel regulations mandate that travel approving officials and travelers use good judgment and treat travel budgets as they would their own money.
When a travel requirement arises, you must always ask two questions: will a video teleconference or phone call suffice and can we afford to send multiple people on the same trip when one could bring back the information and share with everyone? While many critical missions such as deployments, airlift, initial/recurring training and off-station aircraft/equipment maintenance can only be accomplished by traveling, there are many other requirements that lend themselves to a phone call or VTC as alternatives.
Not only do these alternatives save travel dollars, they also minimize unproductive time like waiting in airports. Time is rapidly becoming a scarce resource as we continue to draw down our people.
Once you've decided to send the minimum number of travelers, then the focus shifts to minimizing costs through careful selection of the final destination and travel arrangements. How many times have you seen military travelers directed to a specific city instead of a military base in that same city solely to give everyone a higher per diem rate? Unless there is a compelling mission or other logistical reason, that is wasteful spending. In fact, the travel regulations mandate disciplinary action for approving officials and travelers who willfully fail to comply with travel policies and regulations.
Directing military members to a military base is typically the cheapest alternative since on-base lodging and military per diem are lower than off-base costs. With respect to arrangements, approving officials specify the mode of travel to the destination, and a traveler is only reimbursed up to the cost of the mode specified by the approving official.
Once at the destination, the approving official typically specifies whether a rental car is authorized. Rental cars must be authorized very judiciously since many airports offer complimentary transportation to/from the hotel, and there are typically restaurants within walking distance of the hotel or billeting. Cabs are often cheaper than a rental car, albeit a little less convenient. When a rental car is authorized, it should be used to benefit the maximum number of personnel at the lowest possible cost which is normally a compact car. The key on specifying travel arrangements is to effectively meet the scheduled travel requirement at the lowest possible cost.
After the authorizing official finishes the travel order, then the burden shifts to the individual traveler to minimize expenses while on the trip. There is a long list of actions the traveler can take to save the travel money.
Some examples include:
- Take a cab to/from the airport if it is cheaper than driving your personal vehicle and parking at the airport
- Minimize the number of travel card advances at the ATM to keep ATM transaction fees down
- Obtain a tax exemption at the hotel if the state, city or county authorizes such for government travelers
- Carry your own bags to avoid tipping
- Accelerate return plans if the travel requirement terminates early
- Minimize the number of official toll calls from your TDY location
- Maximize the number of personnel taking a cab or shuttle in order to spread the fixed cost over the most passengers possible
Remember, it is up the approving official and travelers to conserve our limited travel dollars in these challenging budget times. We are accountable by regulation, but we are also accountable to our taxpaying nation as a whole to do everything we can to minimize the costs of defense. After all, it's ultimately your nickel!