509th CPTS Travel Section: Helping money make the world go ‘round

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The 509th Comptroller Squadron travel pay section's mission - ensuring customers are paid accurately and on time after a TDY, PCS or deployment - is more than just "bulletin-board material" in the finance office; it is a responsibility carried out diligently on a daily basis by the dedicated customer service representatives at the 509th CPTS travel section.

"We ensure members get reimbursed, paid for travel for temporary duty and relocations," said Master Sgt. William Sander, 509th Bomb Wing financial services superintendent.

The 509th CPTS Financial Services Office provides broad-based financial services to all military and civilians; one of these is travel pay.

"We offer travel pay support to the 509th Bomb Wing, the 442nd Fighter Wing, nine geographically-separated units, including two ROTC detachments from the University of Missouri and the University of Kansas; the Air Force element Army Command and staff college, out of Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; and the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joseph, Mo.," Sander said.

Relocating to a new base or processing travel transactions can be a tedious process for both service members and government employees, which is why much of the process is still done manually for customer convenience and accuracy.

The team of 18 staff members includes civilians and service members whose objective is to treat all customers with the "Golden Rule" principle, according to Sander.

"Our team works to ensure every customers needs are met in a timely and accurately manner," said Senior Airman Matt Clark, 509th CPTS finance services.

After working long hours and paying close attention to detail, the 509th CPTS travel section made several strides in the 2012 fiscal year, transmitting more than 5,800 travel vouchers to the Air Force Finance Service Center and achieving a 96 percent payment-accuracy rate.

"Our team also developed Government Travel Card Agency Program coordinator processes to include the widely successful first sergeant and squadron commander-tier notification system, which lowered the base's GTC delinquency rate to below two percent - the best in AFGSC," Sander said.

These accomplishments help the staff maintain high motivation, esprit de corps and positive attitudes, which help them get the job done, according to Sander.

"We carefully work through every measure with professionalism and attention to detail to ensure our customers get paid accurately," said Sander.

The 509th CPTS finance office is located in Building 509, Room 115. Customer service hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.