FederalDaily.com > DoD Addresses Military and Civilian Pay

FederalDaily - October 31, 2005

DoD Addresses Military and Civilian Pay

The Department of Defense (DoD) last week said that improving the process that provides servicemembers with correct pay and allowances is part of the department’s plan to modernize. This announcement, which pertains to military members, corresponded with the announcement that DoD is rolling out its new pay and personnel system for its civilian employees too, called the National Security Personnel System. In regards to military members, DoD currently lacks an overarching system to integrate pay-related personnel actions occurring in the field—such as inputting an authorization for combat or danger pay—with pay disbursement made by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, said Thomas B. Modly, deputy undersecretary of defense for financial management.

Making Government Credit Card Bills Public

Rep. Mike Sodrel, R-Ind., announced last week that he is co-sponsoring the Government Credit Card Sunshine Act, H.R. 4089, which requires every government credit card bill to be posted on the Department of the Inspector General’s Web site within 15 business days. Sodrel said recent reports of outlandish purchases made by government employees on government credit cards show the need for this bill. “In recent months we have seen egregious credit card abuses by employees of the federal government,” Sodrel said. “This legislation not only makes the details of government credit card purchases available to Congress and the public, it also creates strong penalties for government employees who make abusive purchases.” The bill states that federal employees whose abuse totals more than $500 shall face immediate dismissal, be forced to repay the bill, and if applicable, return the items purchased.

GAO Criticizes NASA’s Finances

NASA faces major financial management challenges, a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report says. NASA has been on GAO’s high-risk list since 1990 because of its failure to effectively oversee its contracts. Also, the agency’s financial statements remain un-auditable. NASA’s most significant management challenges include improving contract management, producing credible cost estimates, and producing auditable financial statements. But NASA’s new financial management system has not addressed many of these issues, GAO said. GAO added that the new system lacks basic functionality—such as the ability to correctly and consistently post transactions to the right accounts. NASA also failed to recognize the importance and need for highly skilled, well-trained financial personnel. To read the report, go to www.gao.gov/new.items/d06216t.pdf.

Better Health Tracking Needed for Reservists

The Department of Defense (DoD) expects future use of the reserve force to remain high. Operational readiness depends on healthy and fit personnel, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said. However, a new GAO report found that longstanding problems have been identified with reserve members not being in proper medical or physical condition. GAO studied DoD's management of the health status of reserve members activated for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Evidence GAO developed suggests that members are deployed into theater with preexisting conditions, such as diabetes, heart problems and cancer. Also, DoD is unable to determine the extent to which the reserve force complied with routine examinations due to lack of complete or reliable data. Drilling members in the reserve force by law are required to have a medical exam every five years and an annual certificate of their medical status. Policies also require an annual dental exam and an annual evaluation of physical fitness. To read the report, go to www.gao.gov/new.items/d06105.pdf.