Spending money to make money

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Autumn Velez
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  What if you could help your base earn money just by doing your job?

Here at Dyess there is a team from the 7th Comptroller Squadron that is doing just that.

Each year Airmen use Government Travel Cards to finance numerous government excursions, which include permanent change of duty stations, temporary duty assignments and even trips to the Noncommisioned Officer Academy.

"Although you're getting reimbursed for most travel items, the GTC defrays hardship on members by allowing them to use funds loaded onto the travel card rather than their own personal funds," said Airman 1st Class Alexander Pennetti, 7th Comptroller Squadron.

During the past year, the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff advocated for fiscal responsibility on all levels. Bases are highly encouraged to take advantage of programs that already exist, such as the GTC program, which earns the Air Force rebates.

"It is important for members to pay on their GTC in a timely manner. If it isn't paid in a timely manner, the account becomes delinquent; delinquent accounts cause increased workloads for both the units and their respective commanders," said Staff Sergeant Richard Haas, 7th Comptroller Squadron. "We need our Airmen to be focused on the mission. The upside to being on top of your GTC program is that it can secure the wing an end of year rebate."

For the fiscal year of 2013, Air Combat Command was awarded $1 million in rebates. To award the units meeting the Air Force's goals of two percent delinquency or less, ACC dispersed the rebate accordingly.

Across the command, Dyess AFB was one of only two bases to meet the overall Air Force goal for the year. In turn, Dyess received a $75,000 bonus rebate thanks to the GTC team.

"Essentially it comes down to bothering people until they take care of the charges," Pennetti said.

With the bonus rebate in addition to the normal GTC rebate, Dyess earned a total of $112,000. The earnings went towards many critical infrastructure repairs across the installation; to include repairs to unsatisfactory roofs at multiple facilities and the air conditioning system at B-1 jet engine repair facility.

"While dealing with the effects of sequestration, it's definitely nice to see some money come back our way," Pennetti said.