Posted on Sep 20, 2021
Can a service member refuse to accept responsibility as a GPC cardholder?
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Just curious if an SM has any choice in the matter or not.
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 3
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No.
DoDI 5154.31-V4, October 16, 2015
3. POLICY. It is DoD policy that:
a. Eligible members of the Military Services and DoD civilian employees must be issued a GTCC individually billed account (IBA) pursuant to Public Law 105-264 and section 5701 Note of Title 5, United States Code (References (g) and (i)).
If you are wondering why...
It's because servicemembers are generally too slow on submitting vouchers when the travel is centrally billed, which means those on centrally billed accounts (also citibank visas) often go in to delinquency, requiring reissue of new cards for centrally billed accounts.
The DoD policy puts the responsibility on the servicemembers for timely payment of just their one card each, alleviating the strain on the centrally billed accounts, which are now only used for those who do not qualify for a GTCC.
if you are concerned, simply submit complete, correct vouchers within 5 days of travel.
DoDI 5154.31-V4, October 16, 2015
3. POLICY. It is DoD policy that:
a. Eligible members of the Military Services and DoD civilian employees must be issued a GTCC individually billed account (IBA) pursuant to Public Law 105-264 and section 5701 Note of Title 5, United States Code (References (g) and (i)).
If you are wondering why...
It's because servicemembers are generally too slow on submitting vouchers when the travel is centrally billed, which means those on centrally billed accounts (also citibank visas) often go in to delinquency, requiring reissue of new cards for centrally billed accounts.
The DoD policy puts the responsibility on the servicemembers for timely payment of just their one card each, alleviating the strain on the centrally billed accounts, which are now only used for those who do not qualify for a GTCC.
if you are concerned, simply submit complete, correct vouchers within 5 days of travel.
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And now I have to apologize, as I see that you said GPC, not GTC.
Purchase card is part of the job for certain jobs.
Someone has to be the cardholder and someone has to be the APC.
Refusing to be the purchase card holder is sort of like the unit supply NCO refusing to be the unit hand receipt custodian.
Why would someone want to refuse to accept responsibility for the GPC, and who else is available to do that job for them?
Purchase card is part of the job for certain jobs.
Someone has to be the cardholder and someone has to be the APC.
Refusing to be the purchase card holder is sort of like the unit supply NCO refusing to be the unit hand receipt custodian.
Why would someone want to refuse to accept responsibility for the GPC, and who else is available to do that job for them?
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CPT (Join to see)
Yea, I'm going through this right now myself as a TPU reservist. As I learn my financial exposure I'm kind of irritated by it. OK fine, I get it, but what I'm not getting is the full time pay Active Duty or ARG soldiers are getting for the same financial exposure.
The "up side" is my unit will have access to purchases and hotels for LIK without having to go up the echelon for approval. Of which, I personally have to jump through a bunch of hoops with a long rime horizon requirement without any ability to adjust left or right (which happens often).
So yea, I expect life to get easier in regard to GPC needs, but it comes at a cost of having to make sure my i's are dotted and t's are crossed.
The "up side" is my unit will have access to purchases and hotels for LIK without having to go up the echelon for approval. Of which, I personally have to jump through a bunch of hoops with a long rime horizon requirement without any ability to adjust left or right (which happens often).
So yea, I expect life to get easier in regard to GPC needs, but it comes at a cost of having to make sure my i's are dotted and t's are crossed.
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SSG (Join to see)
Sorry, to add a little more detail, the SM in question is a temporary supply person (full time civilian quit due to a better position elsewhere, and new civilian is finally hired but not on board yet). Asking bc section leadership intends to keep SM as a GPC holder as a "backup," but 1. SM is <1 yr from retirement, and 2. SM does not desire the stress and extra responsibility that comes with the position and dealing with gov't funds, etc.
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SGM (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) - Less than a year from retirement is not a good backup plan.
Using the BDE GPC until you have a new AGR in place for your unit GPC is a backup plan.
Using the BDE GPC until you have a new AGR in place for your unit GPC is a backup plan.
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It's required. I heard the argument "I will get one if I need one" alot but it isn't feasible. The whole point of getting it is to have it if you end up getting launched on last minute travel orders. Waiting until you get orders to jump through hoops causes a lot of issues. If there is a legitimate fear or need to disallow the individual to have a card that is a different process.
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CPT (Join to see)
I think you are referring to the individual TRAVEL card every SM has to get.
The OP is asking about the PURCHASE card which is designated to a particular individual in a unit so they can buy things and expense it toward the unit's needs, such as basic supplies, some contracting services and in my case, block hotel rooms for Lodging in Kind programs for reservists traveling for Battle Assembly.
So the exposure the PURCHASE card holder is exposed to is now the entire expense and approval justification chain of documentation and the audit process. In my case, if a SM requires a hotel stay during BA, and their home of record turns out not to be outside the required mileage it all falls on my shoulders. So I could get financially hit for a job I am actually not even paid to do. So yea, I'm irritated to say the least.
Verses a TRAVEL card it's really things entirely associated with the individual and their own responsibility to make sure they don't go outside the limits of what their personal orders allow.
The OP is asking about the PURCHASE card which is designated to a particular individual in a unit so they can buy things and expense it toward the unit's needs, such as basic supplies, some contracting services and in my case, block hotel rooms for Lodging in Kind programs for reservists traveling for Battle Assembly.
So the exposure the PURCHASE card holder is exposed to is now the entire expense and approval justification chain of documentation and the audit process. In my case, if a SM requires a hotel stay during BA, and their home of record turns out not to be outside the required mileage it all falls on my shoulders. So I could get financially hit for a job I am actually not even paid to do. So yea, I'm irritated to say the least.
Verses a TRAVEL card it's really things entirely associated with the individual and their own responsibility to make sure they don't go outside the limits of what their personal orders allow.
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