ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
With daily news about the global economy, it is understandable if people view their finances with a bit more cynicism than usual. Servicemembers on Andrews are fortunate that they have a group of highly-skilled highly-motivated professionals whose job is to provide support in several areas of finance.
"The 316th Comptroller Squadron services approximately 26,000 customers in all matters of travel, military pay, civilian pay and all budgetary activities for the wing commander," said Lt. Col. Burke Beaumont, commander of the 316 CPTS.
The Financial Services Office, located in building 1535, provides help desk support for more than 1,000 walk in customers per month as well as more than 2,000 phone and email inquiries per month, said Colonel Beaumont.
In addition to servicing Andrews, the 316 CPTS also enjoys a robust deployment schedule.
"When our folks deploy, they serve in very much the same capacity that they do here," said Colonel Beaumont. "However, they also participate in convoys and go out as pay agents which means they are outside the fence line with large sums of money to pay the locals for work done."
The 316 CPTS, which won the 316th Wing "Team of the Quarter" award, performs these duties at a high level despite the fact that manpower has been reduced and shifted over the past year to the Air Force Financial Services Center located at Ellsworth AFB, S.D. Their manning now stands at 32 Air Force personnel with only two being senior NCOs.
"The AFFSC is an efficient consolidation where the Air Force is trying to work smarter," said Colonel Beaumont. "Senior leadership recognizes the need to modernize and under the PBD 720 manpower cuts, the need to find more effective ways to utilize our most precious resource -- Airmen."
There have been some struggles due to the fact that the AFFSC and corresponding software was kicked off a year early which caused some inevitable growing pains but there is plenty of hope on the horizon said the colonel.
"In the near future, the Andrews community will enjoy two automated systems for those who need help with filing vouchers and handling matters involving their government travel cards," said Colonel Beaumont. "There will also be updates to the MYPAY website, the implementation of new user friendly web based programs as well as the call center at AFFSC that will be manned 24 hours a day to provide support to Airmen."
Another change will occur at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 29 which will be the last time those owning government travel cards will be able to use their Bank of America travel cards. After that, card owners will need to switch to their new Citi Bank cards. Those who have yet to receive their new Citi Bank travel card need to inform their leadership to ensure they receive one.
Colonel Beaumont feels that the 316 CPTS wouldn't have been able to rise to the occasion time and time again without his team of young Airmen.
"The outstanding achievements of our younger Airmen has been remarkable because we've asked so much from them so early in their careers, and I'm humbled by their performance," said the colonel.