Photo By Daniel Rangel | Spc. Henry T. Selzer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade...... read more read more
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By Army Pfc. Daniel M. Rangel
22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FENTY, Afghanistan– Eagle Cash is an innovative alternative to casual payments. Accessible 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, Eagle Cash is linked to service members' checking or savings accounts and it works just like a debit card.
Soon, casual payments will be scaled down said Army 1st Lt. Todd R. Anderson a Las Vegas, Nev., native.
Eagle Cash also solves a serious problem, getting funds to coalition forces in the field.
"It's a very difficult process to get cash here into theater," Anderson said.
Currency must be shipped from the U.S. Treasury Department under guard then be accounted for. The finance offices have Deputy Disbursement officers in charge of the funds that are distributed.
"The best part of my job is making sure everyone gets paid," said Army Staff Sgt. Daniel W. Ward III, Deputy Disbursement officer at the finance office here.
Eagle Cash makes it easier for the DDOs to get the job done.
"It is the solution to the cash problem," Anderson said. "It relieves the amount of actual cash that we have to have on hand here in theater."
Eagle Cash funds are withdrawn from service members' checking or savings accounts. They can use the funds to make purchases at any of the Army Air Force Exchange Service stores that accept Eagle Cash.
"Pretty much, any AAFES vendor is going to be set up with the ability to accept the Eagle Cash Card," Anderson said.
There are plans for turning the local shops and bazaars into AAFES vendors. Plus, as long as there are enough funds on their Eagle Card, service members can still receive cash back as if it were a debit card, Anderson said.
If service members require more actual currency, they can still take the Eagle Cash Cards to their finance office and receive cash.
"I'd like to encourage every Soldier who is on a base large enough that supports Eagle Cash to go ahead and get the Eagle Cash Card because it's going to be so much easier for them," Anderson said.
To get an Eagle Cash Card, service members fill out a form at the closest finance office where they'll write down their bank account and routing number. Cashiers register the information with the U.S. Treasury Department to activate the Eagle Cash Card.
"You're not charged fees with the Eagle Cash Card," Anderson said. "Unlike your ATM card where you get charged ATM fees every time."
Plus, Eagle Cash can be more convenient than casual payments.
"It's easier and more convenient to be able to go up to a machine and load the funds onto the card rather than waiting in line with 50 to 100 people to get casual pay," Anderson said.
Even service members in the forward areas of Afghanistan will soon see the benefits of Eagle Cash.
"Places like Mehtar Lam and Kala Gush continue to develop and as they build their infrastructure, they'll have the Eagle Cash Card out there," Anderson said.
| Date Taken: | 08.13.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 08.13.2007 10:49 |
| Story ID: | 11781 |
| Location: | JALALABAD, AF |
| Web Views: | 539 |
| Downloads: | 504 |
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