Photo By Sgt. David Hodge | Spc. Adrian Harrison, a supply specialist from Tallulah, La., assigned to the 4th...... read more read more
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By Sgt. David Hodge
1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – Deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers reap the benefits of extra money in their paychecks due to deployment entitlements.
Many Soldiers of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, initiate those benefits by visiting the finance office at Forward Operating Base Falcon in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad.
"Our primary goal here is Soldier support," said Capt. Tayonia Williams, the commander of Detachment A, 24th Finance Company, Special Troops Battalion, 1st Sustainment Bde., stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga. "We are all about taking care of the Soldiers."
Approximately 200-300 Soldiers visit finance during paydays, said Williams.
Two services offered to Soldiers every day are the Eagle Cash Card and Savings Deposit Program.
The ECC acts similar to a debit card, said Williams, a native of Chicago. It is deducted from their bank account soon after the transaction, adding that it is very beneficial to both Soldiers and the finance detachment alike.
"For the Soldiers, it's better than carrying cash," Williams explained.
"One of the benefits of the Eagle Cash Card is Soldiers can use it at any [Army and Air Force Exchange Service] facility," said Spc. Felicia Wynn, a financial management technician from Augusta, Ga., assigned to Det. A, 24th Finance Co., STB, 1st Sust. Bde. "There are six locations on FOB Falcon."
An added benefit, AAFES outlets ask for identification as a measure of theft deterrence if the Eagle Cash Card is lost or stolen, added Williams.
The ECC supports the finance unit's mission to limit the amount of cash on the battlefield, said Williams, a 16-year Army veteran currently on her second deployment.
That means regulating the number of casual pay advances, said Williams.
A casual pay advance is the payment of cash to a Soldier, which is not deducted from their bank account immediately.
Generally, casual pay advances are for Soldiers operating outside the forward operating bases at the combat outposts and joint security stations, said Williams, who leads approximately 22 Soldiers in her detachment.
"The ECC is easier for Soldiers to maintain and keep track of than cash," said Pfc. Thomas Martin, a financial management technician from Kansas City, Mo., assigned to Det. A, 24th Finance Co., STB, 1st Sust. Bde., attached to the 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div. "It also makes it easier for the Soldier's commander. It's their job to lead the unit but also keep track of Soldier's expenses."
One problem Soldiers experienced in the past is obtaining advances two months in a row, said Williams.
The two amounts are then deducted from their bank accounts at the same time, which takes a large amount of cash at once instead of two small withdrawals, she added.
The finance detachment also supports investment options, such as the SDP.
"We definitely encourage all Soldiers to participate in the Savings Deposit Program," Williams stated.
"The SDP is an investment fund with a fixed-rate, 10-percent annual interest," Wynn said. "No interest is earned after the amount invested reaches $10,000."
Soldiers become eligible to enroll in the SDP exactly 30 days after arriving in theater, added Wynn.
A few Soldiers choose not to participate in the services offered because they may find a better means of investing, explained Williams.
Williams encouraged Soldiers to diligently check their Leaves and Earnings Statement online to ensure all deployment entitlements have been received.
If Soldiers find any discrepancies, they should visit their unit's personnel administration section, said Williams.
Although Soldiers are encouraged to involve their chains of command in most financial decisions, the detachment's customer service department can answer many questions regarding support services, said Williams.
"It all depends on what the Soldiers want to do with their money," she explained. "We are here for Soldier support."
| Date Taken: | 08.09.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 08.09.2008 03:16 |
| Story ID: | 22299 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 372 |
| Downloads: | 85 |
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