Getting paid on time

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Yolanda Addison
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. --  Many Reservists may find the process of receiving pay and travel entitlements a bit mystifying at times.

"Do I turn this paperwork in here? Do I turn that paperwork in there?" If it isn't done correctly, the member won't get paid on time, or worse, the member could owe the government money.

Knowing what to do can speed up the process and make it as smooth as possible.

Reservists and finance share equal responsibility in ensuring entitlements are paid in a timely manner, said Jennifer Ellzey, 403d Wing military pay technician. Completing pay and travel voucher paperwork within five days of return from Temporary Duty is essential in starting the process and getting entitlements to the Reservist as quickly as possible.

When members returns from TDY, copies of orders are turned in to their orderly room, who turn them in to finance. Members also need to complete travel vouchers through the new web-based system eFinance.

If eFinance is filled out correctly, it can be most beneficial to the member, said Staff Sgt. Paula Newton, 403d Wing travel voucher technician. "The member will get paid within five to seven days versus the paper method, which can be 21 days or more," she added.

There are a few quick ways the member can ensure that efinance paperwork is completed correctly. Ensure that orders are uploaded into eFinance and the front and back of documents are visable. Ms. Ellzey also recommends checking the eFinance website until the voucher is paid in case it's rejected. If the member hasn't received any responses within 10 days, the travel voucher office can assist the member.

Still, Reservists may not get paid on time, often discovering weeks or months later that there was something incomplete with their orders or that their eFinance paperwork was rejected.

The reason most orders are rejected is because blocks 36 thru 44 aren't filled out correctly, said Ms. Ellzey. When this happens, the orders are routed back to the unit and wait until the member returns for Unit Training Assembly for further action, thus, prolonging the time until the member gets paid.

Another action overlooked by members, said Ms. Ellzey, is turning in end-of-tour orders. This can cause "debts for leave." Meaning, if leave paperwork isn't submitted, the system automatically sells back the leave. In these cases, members will incur a monetary debt .

Military pay and military travel requirements are cohesive entities that should be started as soon as possible upon return from TDY in order for the Reservists to get entitlements quickly. "It is extremely important that the member complete their travel voucher in a timely manner and follow up until paid out," said Sergeant Newton.

The personnel in pay and travel offices are located in the 403d Wing headquarters building in the finance office. Please contact Ms. Ellzey at 228-377-4154 for pay inquiries and Sergeant Newton at 228-377-5144 for travel voucher inquiries. The eFinance website can found via the Air Force Portal.