Posted on Oct 28, 2015
Is it unethical to use a personal rewards (gas) card, when filling up a government vehicle?
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Soldiers are told to use the NCOs personal rewards card, when filling up a government vehicle.
NCO Creed
Motor Sergeant
Ethics
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 17
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.
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MAJ (Join to see)
"no one is more professional than I ... I am proud of the Corps of noncommissioned officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the military service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I WILL NOT USE MY GRADE OR POSITION TO ATTAIN PLEASURE, PROFIT, OR PERSONAL SAFETY."
Yep that covers it.
Using a personal card to obtain points especially if the gas station offers a discount would be encouraged due to the cost saving it provides to the tax payer, using your superior's personal card is a clear communication of that superior's lack of moral ethics and failure to demonstrate selfless service.
Yep that covers it.
Using a personal card to obtain points especially if the gas station offers a discount would be encouraged due to the cost saving it provides to the tax payer, using your superior's personal card is a clear communication of that superior's lack of moral ethics and failure to demonstrate selfless service.
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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.
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.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SFC Michael Hasbun - That is a RECENT change (within last 10 years), and specifically "allowed" by regulation. The situation as presented has its roots in the time before the regulations changed to allow it.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
The situation as presented has nothing to do with DTS or flyer miles. I was referring to your example only. As far as the actual OP, I agree with you, but my rationale is "if you have to ask, it's probably wrong". If I were him, I'd ask the S-4.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SFC Michael Hasbun - The situation as presented absolutely has roots in the "reward incentive programs" like frequent flyer miles (the original program). 20~ years ago the number of programs available could be counted on a single hand. Now there are countless.
You have to look at historical ROOTS of the issue to understand how they apply today. The OPs question has EVERYTHING to do with frequent flyer miles. Rewards earned on the government dime belong to the government. The government allows you to use specific benefits by name.
You have to look at historical ROOTS of the issue to understand how they apply today. The OPs question has EVERYTHING to do with frequent flyer miles. Rewards earned on the government dime belong to the government. The government allows you to use specific benefits by name.
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MAJ (Join to see)
It is OK to use personal rewards program, especially if it saves the tax payers money. It is never ok to require subordinates to use your own personal card.
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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.
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LTC (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) - I should say your car or your rental. Not someone else's rental.
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SA Harold Hansmann
I wouldn't use my own card when filling a government vehicle let alone someone else's card.
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I think it is. I believe by some sort of regulation, they are required to use the fleet card when ever possible.
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MAJ (Join to see)
You must use the fleet card, a personal rewards card like a safeway rewards card, which just gives you points and coupons, it is not a credit card.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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MAJ (Join to see)
I believe he is talking about a personal rewards card which gives you points, it is not a credit card or a method of payment, generally inserted after the credit card.
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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.
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MAJ (Join to see)
I've never found the argument that "government money is special money" particularly compelling. A rewards program is between the customer and the vendor. How the customer came around to using the vendor is massively irrelevant as the money has already been budgeted for the expense. If I am not incurring additional expense to benefit from the rewards program relationship then that relationship is irrelevant. When in the past the government would confiscate miles/points it was a travesty. Thankfully, that nonsense is long dead.
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Technically speaking, that's a violation of the Anti Deficiency Act. Government is not authorized to accept gifts UNLESS it's clearly immaterial.
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