Photo By Lt. Col. Janet Herrick | The three-Soldier team from 176th Finance Detachment disperses cash, conducts pay...... read more read more
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by Capt. Janet L. Herrick
5th MPAD - Tikrit
HAWIJA, Iraq - The excitement of payday is not what it used to be since the advent of automatic tellers, electronic fund transfers and credit cards. However this is not the case at Forward Operating Base McHenry, when the 176th Finance Detachment Soldiers visit monthly to provide military pay.
"They made an announcement the night we arrived that finance was here. There were 40 people in line before we were set up. In three hours we serviced 150 people." said Spc. Lawrence E. Walker, a 176th Finance Det. cashier.
The three-Soldier finance team is able to cash checks, disperse cash through casual pay, conduct pay inquiries, and collect deposits for the Savings Deposit Program.
"The most common thing Soldiers do while we're here is casual pay," said Sgt. Marcus J. Treece, a 176th Finance Det. cashier. A casual pay allows Soldiers to get a cash advance that is deducted from the next month's pay.
While there is little to spend money on at FOB McHenry, the visits from finance boost Soldier morale.
"It is good to have money to get stuff from local vendors and the PX (shopette) that is here. Some of the necessities don't come in care packages." said Sgt. Dane Phelps, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment.
"Especially around this time of year, it is nice to have money to buy some of the unique gifts to send home. I sent my mom a portfolio," said Pfc. Jeramy Hunger, HHC, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Regt. "Also, eating in the chow hall three times a day, it is nice to have something different."
In addition to providing cash, the finance team can assist Soldiers with pay problems. They can research why pay entitlements for housing, family separation, and additional combat pay entitlements are not showing up on a Soldier's pay.
"They can help Soldiers sort out any pay issues before they become a problem." Phelps said.
Finance sees the most pay inquiries when Soldiers first arrive in country. By getting out to the different FOBs, the finance teams can help Soldiers quickly solve pay issues. In addition to visiting FOB McHenry, the 176th Finance Det. travels to three other bases routinely to ensure the Soldiers of the smaller units providing training to the Iraqi army are also getting the finance support they need.
"When Soldiers don't have to worry about getting paid, they work a lot better," said Walker.
| Date Taken: | 12.06.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 12.17.2006 10:25 |
| Story ID: | 8586 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 60 |
| Downloads: | 25 |
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