Misleading Budget Accounting In The Department Of Defense Needs Correction by Dave Deptula
Author: Matt Miller
Matt is the civilian comptroller for the 301st Fighter Wing in Fort Worth, Texas and a Reserve finance officer. He spent seven years on active duty before returning home to Texas and beginning the second chapter of his life. He is an avid maker that loves golf, reading, welding, carpentry and tinkering with electronics. An amateur at many things and master of none.
DODAACs
DODAAC Management Tool
The Tool Suite provides a number of tools that can be used to manage DODAACs.
The Department Of Defense Activity Address Code (DODAAC) is a six position code that uniquely identifies a unit, activity, or organization that has the authority to requisition and / or receive materiel. Using the DODAAC Management system, you will be able to request a new DODAAC, change and existing DODAAC, or delete a cancelled DODAAC. The system also provides the ability to complete the annual validation of all Air Force DODAACs through an automated system.
FY DoDAACS ‐ Require that the requestor furnish the FB/FE/FG DoDAAC that will provide accountability for the FY DoDAAC being requested IAW AFMAN 23‐230 Table 2.1. Additionally, requester needs to provide the process that will be used for processing receipt transactions/accountability and a POC for the receiving locations on the ground at of the TAC1/TAC2 addresses. The FY DoDAAC is to be used in the supplementary address field of requisitions (positions 45‐50) from the accountable DoDAAC.
https://dodaac.wpafb.af.mil/about.aspx
Quick Links
- MAPAC/MAPAD Information from DLAs Enterprise Business Standards Office
- MAPAC/MAPAD SAAR request from DLA Transaction Services
- Mapping Enterprise Business System (MEPS) Information from DLA Aviation
- DODAAC Information from DLAs Enterprise Business Standards Office
- DODAAC Single Look‐up from DLA Defense Automatic Addressing System (DAAS)
- Central Service Points for DODAAC/MAPAD ETC from DLAs Enterprise Business Standards Office
- EDASSINQ SAAR request from DLA Defense Automatic Addressing System (DAAS)
- TrackerLite ‐ DODAAC SAAR Request
The Myth of Creativity
The Myth of Creativity (Manager Tools)
- “How are you so creative?” … It’s my job.
- Creativity is on your performance review
- Reading, friends, podcast-writing material is everywhere
- You’re trying to solve a problem, the blank page
- Decide on a problem
- Research the problem
- Try to solve problem
- Skills, whatever they are, and knowledge, whatever it is, can be learned
- If you want to be more creative, then you have to practice being creative
- Anything, however mysterious it seems right now, can be learned
The End of Silicon Valley as We Know It?
The End of Silicon Valley as We Know It? – O’Reilly (oreilly.com)
I found this article both timely and evergreen. Tim O’Reilly’s writing is always insightful
Judgment Matters, Not Memory
Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld stated, “Everyone complains of his memory, and no one complains of his judgment.” We focus on the wrong thing.
Memory is easy; write it down. Facts are free and fast. Every byte of humanity has been indexed and is searchable. Let the silicon handle recall. Focus your matter on higher-order tasks.
Judgment is what you get paid for. It’s how we value people. Jobs, Musk, and Bezos assessed situations, made predictions and took action. Each had limitless opportunities, but judgment narrowed their vision.
Memory is not a skill worth improving. The world’s collective knowledge sits just beneath your fingertips. Making your dent in the universe requires creativity and discernment.
Improve your judgment, increase your value, enjoy your life.
Everything Seems Stupid When It Fails
Fyodor Dostoevsky said it and he’s right. Decisions are made in the context of their time. Decisions and context cannot be uncoupled. I can’t point to a single decision I ever made with the intention of failing, yet in hindsight, I look back on hundreds of blunders and wonder how it could have gone any other way.
Was I in a hurry? Had I fallen for the sunk cost fallacy and doubled down? Was I biased by consistency syndrome? Was I hungry? Was I tired? All of the above?
Decisions make sense at the time, otherwise, it would have been done differently. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Reflect. Learn. Move on. And hopefully, we don’t repeat the same mistakes. But God willing, you will make more mistakes. Else you’re dead.
Make bets. Better yet, make predictions. Rather than money, stake reputation by putting it in writing. We are horrible predictors, but it is a skill worth developing because it hones our analysis skills and forces accountability. Build a public track record and learn from errors in judgment.
Don’t hedge. I have a bad habit of saying things like, “Mahomes and the Chiefs are a better team, but Brady’s track record speaks for itself.” I can’t lose. Either way, I look like a genius.
That’s weak sauce. Instead, be bold. Make predictions. Grade your homework. Rinse, repeat.
Updated GTC Regulation and SoU
DTMO updated the GTCC Regulation and Cardholder Reference guide, to include the new DD3120 Statement of Understanding (SoU).
DTMO completed their revision of the March 2021 Regulations updates and posted it here. The new DD3120 Statement of Understanding (SOU) can be found here. Both documents are also available to view or download below.
Members do not need to reaccomplish the SoU if they already have one on file. New applicants will use the updated DD3120 Statement of Understanding (SOU), and current cardholders will use the new form when they hit their three-year renewal or move to a new duty station.
GTC Regulation (March 2021)
GTCC-Regulations-_March-2021GTC Cardholder Reference (March 2021)
Cardholder-Reference-GTCC-Regulations-_-March-2021DD3120 Statement of Understanding (SoU)
DD3120-SOU-2COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Guidance Repository
There is more guidance being published than anyone can keep up with. I’ll continue to update this post and ask others to share updates in the comments.
Updated 25 March 2021
I found a good repository of COVID guidance on AFSOC/FM’s SharePoint site (link).
Note from SAF/FMB (26 March 2020):
In light of the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) environment, please be reminded that the use of Emergency and Special Program (ESP) Code C1 (Charlie One) is crucial in:
a) accurately tracking cost data in order to meet reporting requirements
b) obtaining potential additional funding (or reimbursement) as appropriate [Note, reimbursement not guaranteed]
Please use ESP Code C1 on all applicable commitment, obligation, and expenditure documents to capture total costs, both direct and reimbursable. Using ESP Code C1, in conjunction with properly recorded accounting elements (e.g., element of expense, sales code, buyer sales code, etc.) will allow AF to adequately identify who is being supported, and what goods and services are being provided.
Source
Laura S. Payne
SAF/FMB, Policy & Fiscal Control
Guidance:
- SAF/PA COVID-19 Official Site
- COVID-19 Travel Info for Air Force Reservists
- 27 March – Approval for Basic Allowance for Subsistence and Meals At No Cost Due
- 27 March – Updated AFRC COVID-19 Post-Deployment ROM Guidance
- 26 March – Attorney General Mission Essential Memo
- 26 March – COVID-19 Travel Q&As
- 26 March – COVID-19 Finance Pay and Allowances
- 25 March – Q&As for Civilian Personnel Novel Coronavirus
- 25 March – Revised Stop Movement and Concurrent Guidance Related to Travel Restrictions
- 24 March – AFPC PCS Entitlements Issues
- 24 March – DoD Stop Movement Mod Revised With International Travel
- 24 March – Travel Q&A Index
- 24 March – COVID-19 Entitlements Matrix
- 23 March – MilPers Guidance from OSD
- 23 March – DoD Military Personnel Guidance in Responding to Coronavirus
- 19 March – SAF/FM Hardship Duty Pay Restriction of Movement
- 19 March – HDP ROM Commander Template
- 19 March – AFPC/PA PCS Entitlements Q&A
- 14 March – Important Information for Reserve Citizen Airmen
- 13 March – DTMO COVID-19 Travel Q&As
- 13 March – OSD Hardship Duty Pay Restriction of Movement
- 13 March – Stop Movement for all Domestic Travel for DoD Components in Response to COVID-19
- 13 March – Funding Instructions for the Preventative Health Items PPE to Mitigate COVID-19
- 13 March – SAF/PA COVID-19 Public Affairs Guidance
- 11 March – DoD Travel Restrictions for DoD Components in Response to COVID-19
- 11 March – DoD Force Health Protection Supp-Guidance for Personnel Traveling
DAFI 64-117, Government Purchase Card Program
This publication implements AFPD 64-1, The Contracting System. This publication provides guidance and procedures for the management of the Government Purchase Card Program. It implements and supplements sections of the Department of Defense (DoD) Government Charge Card Guide for Establishing and Managing Purchase, Travel, and Fuel Card Programs (August 28, 2014, revised.) Refer to the DoD Guide if information is not discussed in this Air Force
Instruction (AFI); if this AFI is in conflict with the Guide, the Guide takes precedence. This AFI applies to all AF Government Purchase Card (GPC) purchases utilizing appropriated funds. (Reference AFI 34-275, Air Force Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) Government Purchase Card Program [Recently changed to AFMAN 64-302] for purchases using Non-appropriated Funds.) This publication applies to all active AF and Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) units, and Non-AF tenant organizations issued GPCs or convenience checks through an AF contracting activity.
Source: Air Force E-Publishing
Version: 19 May 2022
If you find we are not referencing the latest version of a regulation or memo, leave a comment or send us an email. We do our best to stay up to date and strive to ensure you have the most accurate, easily searchable information.
AFI-64-117-GPCNo Wasted Footsteps-Nick Grossman
Originally posted by Nick Grossman on his blog
All highlighting is my own.
This summer, we moved into a new house. Moving is a lot of work. As part of moving out of our old house, we got rid of a lot of junk that we had accumulated over the years. We ended up working with the amazing Dave O’Rourke of Spaceback. As Dave and I were loading a huge junk pile into his truck, he said something that really stuck with me — he said: “in this business, you can’t waste any footsteps”. Meaning, there’s a lot to do, lots of things to lift and move, and you need to be smart and efficient with your energy.
As I am now moving items around our house, and carting empty moving boxes and miscellaneous trash out, Dave’s words have been sticking with me. If I’m going to the basement, grab a box to take to the trash. If I’m going up to the second floor, grab a bag or a box or an item that needs to go there. Going back to the first floor? Grab something that needs to go there. No wasted footsteps.
This is good advice for moving a bunch of stuff around, but it’s also good advice in general. And it’s been on my mind, as of course moving to a new house means that you tend to fall behind on other things (like work and email). So the same approach of no wasted footsteps could (and should) be applied to digital life. Get the thing done that you need to get done right then and there, don’t waste any footsteps walking around empty handed. The folks that I work with that seem to be most productive and efficient seem to take this approach, and I’m going to try to keep it front and center myself.
AFI 65-201, ERM & MICP
This instruction implements Air Force Policy Directive 65-2, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and Managers’ Internal Control Program (MICP). It provides a structure to establish, evaluate, and report on Air Force Risk Management and internal controls in all functional areas including Special Access Programs based on recognized leading practices and in compliance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular Number (No.) A-123 Management’s Responsibility for Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Control requirements. This instruction applies to all
civilian employees and uniformed members of the Regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard.
Source: Air Force E-Publishing
Version: 17 September 2020
If you find we are not referencing the latest version of a regulation or memo, leave a comment or send us an email. We do our best to stay up to date and strive to ensure you have the most accurate, easily searchable information.
AFI-65-201-MICPAFMAN 65-604, Appropriation Symbols and Budget Codes
This manual implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 65-6, Budget. Air Force Manual (AFMAN) 65-604, Appropriation Symbols and Budget Codes, provides guidance on using current (Fiscal Year [FY] Appropriations Acts) symbols and budget codes and their descriptions. This manual applies to the Regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard (ANG). The current listing of Financial Management codes (including future and historical) which are continually updated and maintained are found in the Air Force Financial Management Data Dictionary (FMDD), accessible via the Financial Management Data Quality Service (DQS). See Attachment 1 for a glossary of references, abbreviations, acronyms, and terms.
Source: Air Force E-Publishing
Version: 1 October 2020
If you find we are not referencing the latest version of a regulation or memo, leave a comment or send us an email. We do our best to stay up to date and strive to ensure you have the most accurate, easily searchable information.
AFMAN-65-604-Appropriation-Symbols-Budget-CodesAFMAN 65-116, Volume 3, DJMS-Reserve Component
This manual implements DoDI 7770.02, Uniformed Services Pay File. This manual prescribes procedures on processing pay and allowances for members of the Air Reserve component of the United States Air Force. This Air Force Manual (AFMAN) applies to all Air Reserve Component organizations, including Air Force Reserve (AFR), Air National Guard (ANG), and Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). This manual applies to all Reserve Component (RC) Payroll Offices and any other accounting and finance offices which support ANG and AFR for military pay payments and funds accountability. This AFMAN may not be supplemented.
Source: Air Force E-Publishing
Version: 7 November 2019
If you find we are not referencing the latest version of a regulation or memo, leave a comment or send us an email. We do our best to stay up to date and strive to ensure you have the most accurate, easily searchable information.
AFMAN-65-116v3-DJMS-RCAFMAN 65-114, Travel Procedures for Finance Offices
This manual implements Air Force Policy Directive 65-1, Management of Financial Services, and provides guidance on supplemental procedures for finance offices and paying offices to process travel orders, claims, advances, and debts for Air Force personnel. This manual applies to all Regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard organizations. This manual governs the processing and funding of travel in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations, the Department of Defense 7000.14-R, Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation, or Department of Defense Instruction 5154.31, Commercial Travel Management.
Source: Air Force E-Publishing
Version: 27 August 2019
If you find we are not referencing the latest version of a regulation or memo, leave a comment or send us an email. We do our best to stay up to date and strive to ensure you have the most accurate, easily searchable information.
AFMAN-65-114-Travel-ProceduresAFI 65-601, Volume 2, Budget Management for Operations
This instruction implements Department of the Air Force Policy Directive (DAFPD) 65-6, Budget and prescribes procedures for administering and executing the Department of the Air Force operating budget. Compliance with the attachments in this publication is mandatory. The instruction applies to all civilian employees and uniformed members of the Department of the Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard to include all individuals who perform
financial management analysis and resource management at all levels, except where noted otherwise.
Source: Air Force E-Publishing
Version: 29 January 2021
If you find we are not referencing the latest version of a regulation or memo, leave a comment or send us an email. We do our best to stay up to date and strive to ensure you have the most accurate, easily searchable information.
AFI-65-601v2