Dover Financial Management Office earns command award

Published April 14, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Tanisha L. Brown
512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- The Air Force Reserve Command selected the 512th Airlift Wing Financial Management Office as the Financial Management and Comptroller Organization of the Year for 2010.

The award is presented annually to the unit that exemplifies the Air Force financial management vision making significant contributions to financial management transformation efforts.

Pamela Jackson, 512th AW civilian financial management officer, and Capt. Dawn Card, wing comptroller, led the 12-person office, comprised of civilians and reservists. Their accomplishments were evaluated in the areas of outstanding achievement, mission impact and management of resources.

There are many achievements that made the 512th AW finance office stand out, said Ms. Jackson, but what really set them apart from other FM units is when AFRC notified their office in August 2010 that they would lead the AFRC implementation of the Defense Travel System.

"We were selected because of our reputation for quality, experience and hard work," said Ms. Jackson, who serves as an advisor on all wing financial matters, providing information and support to leadership. "Command told us that if we couldn't make it work; it wouldn't work."

The 1,800-person wing began using the Department of Defense-wide electronic travel voucher system Feb. 14. DTS is the Department of Defense web-based travel management system that allows travelers to make hotel and travel reservations and generate travel vouchers and direct deposit payment to servicemembers and the government charge card vendor. Active-duty members have been using the system too for years and the Navy Reserve just started using the web program.

When the office isn't paving the way for new AFRC pay systems, they assist other wing finance offices in preparing for Operational Readiness Inspections.

"Last year, our office assisted four financial management units with ORI preparation, and they all earned a rating of satisfactory or higher," said Senior Master Sgt. Dee Priar, superintendent, who works in the FM office as a civilian during the week and as a reservist during the Unit Training Assembly.

The senior NCO has participated in eight ORIs during her 26-year career and uses her knowledge to train other money managers.

"We go to their location and prepare them for the ORI by helping them build continuity binders and training them on some of the possible scenarios they might encounter during the inspection," she said.

The 512th finance office's expertise isn't just sought out for inspections. The office's efficient process for researching and tracking unpaid orders was a benchmark for command and was briefed to other FM offices throughout AFRC, said Ms. Jackson.

"We compile a list of the unpaid orders and do the research before we send it to unit resource advisors, so they can effectively use their time to work the issue with the reservist," said Ms. Jackson.

A unit resource advisor, an additional duty, ensures the optimum use of unit funds and that reservists submit their travel vouchers and orders for timely payment.

The wing's money managers are happy about their recent accolade, and they plan to continue their tradition of high-caliber work and customer service.

"It's nice to be acknowledged among your peers," said Sergeant Priar. "However, an award is one moment in time where you are recognized for a job well done. We aim to do an excellent job every day, no matter who is or who is not looking."

This pursuit of excellence will continue throughout 2011 as the FM office takes on the task of implementing and training reservists on DTS and tackling the wing's Operational Readiness Exercise in September and the ORI in December.

Whatever the challenge, the office will work together to get the job done with distinction.

"The office prides itself on proficiency, preparation, experience, being highly responsive, and having a great reputation," said Ms. Jackson. "We plan to continue providing excellent service to the members of this wing."

(Capt. Marnee A.C. Losurdo contributed to this story)

Finance earns top honors