Government Travel Card conversion to Controlled Spending Account proposed Published Feb. 13, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Nicole Celestine 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. -- There has been talk that the Air Force Reserve plans to implement a new controlled spending account to replace its government travel card program. But don't kiss that GTC goodbye just yet. The 446th Airlift Wing financial management and comptroller office advises the program needs to be tweaked before it can be officially implemented across Air Force Reserve Command. Senior Master Sgt. Louis Desjardins, 446th AW FM superintendent, said the CSA is "a credit card that basically works like an electronic cash advance. Reservists can use the card anywhere they need to complete their mission, and after they've completed travelling, reimbursements are made directly to the card with any residual balance available for use by them." The new CSA program is being designed to reduce financial exposure to overspending and eliminate delinquency management tasks resulting from travelers who receive their reimbursement but fail to pay their GTC bills. In addition, travelers on long-term temporary duty or permanent change of stations will be automatically coded in "mission critical "status, deferring their requirements to pay off CSA balances until the qualifying period ends. Another expected advantage is potentially doubling rebates to the Air Force which are then used to provide funding for quality-of-life programs, like fitness centers, to Airmen. According to Senior Master Sgt. Alfredo Cruz, 446th AW FM resource manager, the new program is currently being tested at selected active-duty locations but there has been limited Reserve participation. "Since the program was tested at the active-duty stations, several challenges were highlighted that could have serious impact on Reservists," said Sergeant Cruz. "Because a specific sum of money is allocated to each card (based on location, length of tour and conditions indicated on orders like meals or rental car), Reservists caught in situations beyond their control, for example, delayed or cancelled returning flights in deployed locations, may find themselves having to pay non-government rates for food or lodging, and calling (446th AW/FM) to get limits on their cards increased to cover expenses during this time." Sergeants Cruz and Desjardins said AFRC is working with the Secretary of the Air Force financial management bank card liaison to clearly define and review the program requirements. They said AFRC is working toward testing the CSA program in a Reserve environment before moving the GTC to the CSA concept. Financial management experts assure Reservists the current GTC program remains in place but to keep on the lookout for more updates on this program.