Is it unethical to use a personal rewards (gas) card, when filling up a government vehicle?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 15:18:26 -0400

Soldiers are told to use the NCOs personal rewards card, when filling up a government vehicle.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 3:21 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 15:21:05 -0400

I think it is. I believe by some sort of regulation, they are required to use the fleet card when ever possible.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 3:22 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 15:22:06 -0400

I would certainly ask higher to better get answers, but from a personal standpoint, telling soldiers to use the NCO's personal card so the NCO can get the points is (again at least to me) unethical.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 28 at 2015 3:23 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 15:23:29 -0400

It is probably against regulation, and he is digging for points.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 3:26 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 15:26:31 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member I don't even get why you would use your personal money to fill a Gov. When we issue a vehicle we issue it full and you have a key to fill it up before turning it in at S4. If you are going further than 200 miles you need to fill a mileage permission and they will give you a TMP credit card to fill it up.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 28 at 2015 3:32 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 15:32:46 -0400

This goes back to the OLD argument about "Frequent Flyer Miles" when using Government Travel.

Who do the Miles belong to? Simple answer is the Government. Any reward based program follows the same philosophy.

I realize that rules have changed which specifically "allow" service members to use those miles/points/etc, but that does not mean they belong to them. The points were earned using government funds, and as such belong to the government. Unless there is a specific policy that mentions the reward program, assume it is disallowed, and therefore unethical.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 28 at 2015 4:36 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 16:36:29 -0400

Actually the Government card must be used by regulation. It's linked to the vehicle like the GSA Card that comes with each GSA vehicle. For base owned vehicles, they have their own card too. The Bean Counters take a dim view of this type of stuff because someone has to process the reimbursable voucher needlessly. Sounds like the SEL needs to be cued in before it needlessly becomes visible to the brass. If it's a pervasive thing, a Hotline call is warranted.

Response by SFC David McMahon made Oct 28 at 2015 4:42 PM

SFC David McMahon — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 16:42:48 -0400

It is illegal and to benefit of the government's expense. Advise your leadership before this becomes a serious issue. JAG will confirm this for you.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Oct 28 at 2015 5:59 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 17:59:32 -0400

Doesn't pass the smell test to me.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Oct 28 at 2015 6:47 PM

1SG Michael Blount — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 18:47:10 -0400

Technically speaking, that's a violation of the Anti Deficiency Act. Government is not authorized to accept gifts UNLESS it's clearly immaterial.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Oct 28 at 2015 6:56 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 18:56:06 -0400

Yes it is. A government has card should be used

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 7:23 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 19:23:18 -0400

It is not unethical if it is you and your car. If it is someone else directly you to use their card it is unethical.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Oct 28 at 2015 8:41 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 20:41:37 -0400

When I worked at VA, I tried getting gas at Costco and it wouldn't accept the gov't fleet card.

Response by SSG Brian Lovins made Oct 28 at 2015 9:23 PM

SSG Brian Lovins — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 21:23:43 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member For clarification are you talking about using the NCO's rewards credit card as payment or a separate reward card that is swiped before making payment?

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Oct 29 at 2015 1:15 AM

Capt Mark Strobl — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 01:15:36 -0400

If find this question particularly interesting. For my work, I have rewards programs set up for hotel, airfare, and car rentals. For all directly business-related expenses, I use my corporate credit card. To guarantee business, United Airlines, Hilton, and Avis have guaranteed their rates to me (and my company). Yes, both me and the company are benefactors --and I suppose, to a point, those whom I patronize benefit as well. It's mutually & financially satisfying. However when I travel, it's part of my budget --and not the taxpayers'. Anyone who has access to government money (to include gas cards) should be attending periodic ethics classes to remind them of this.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2015 3:16 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 03:16:09 -0400

A little background I am a DTA, I've also been an assist GSA Fleet Manager and an APC. The fuel card that comes with a GSA must, and I mean must be used in fueling a government vehicle, the only time where we have allowed a personal card to be used was when the GSA fuel card did not work...and yes your S3/4/8 (depending who controls your program can check to see if you attempted to use the card and where.). Using an NCO's personal card in order to get "rewards" is completely unethical and against the the contract the DoD has with GSA.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Oct 29 at 2015 11:21 AM

1SG Michael Blount — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:21:10 -0400

Hold the phone - I want to understand the facts because my initial response might have been off the mark. Ok, NCO orders/directs Soldiers to use his personal rewards card to fill up Gov't vehicle. Now, who's paying the fuel bill? That's my first question. If the NCO is paying the fuel bill, then you have an ADA (Anti Deficiency Act) violation. If the gov't is paying the fuel bill, then what you have is unethical, possibly illegal action on the NCO's part, compounded by the Soldiers' complicity. Now, I'm no lawyer (nor did I stay at Holiday Inn last night), but this situation should be referred up the CoC or IG before it blooms out of control

Response by Cpl Dave D made Oct 31 at 2015 6:47 AM

Cpl Dave D — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 06:47:50 -0400

It would depend on the card. If it's a personal rewards credit card then yeah I would call that unethical. But if you are using a government credit card or fleet card and swipe your own rewards card, I dont think that's wrong. I use a company credit card to fly back and forth to work but I collect the frequent flier miles. Same with hotel points. When I book flights, purchase fuel or book hotel rooms, my choices are based on prices or availability. Most of the time my company gets a better deal when I use my cards.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2015 7:34 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 19:34:45 -0500

"I will not use my grade or position, to attain pleasure, profit or personal safety" "I will always place their needs above my own"