New PCS in-processing system set to launch April 1

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Marcus McDonald
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  A new program aimed at streamlining permanent change of station in-processing is set to launch here and throughout the Air Force April 1.

With the exception of new accessions and civilians, newcomers will be able to use the Permanent Change of Station In-Processing System around-the-clock to complete their PCS voucher and all other required forms to financially in-process.

"Since PIPS will be available 24/7, you won't have to be at a certain place at a certain time to do your finance in-processing," said 1st Lt. Tamara Wyatt, financial services transportation point of contact for Malmstom. "It will provide newcomers more flexibility, which is helpful when you first arrive at a new base." 

A reduction in human error and consistent documentation throughout the Air Force are two other benefits. This, in turn, will reduce processing time.

"Finance technicians are human, and can miss things when assisting with a PCS in-processing," she said. "PIPS will reduce errors in the PCS process by having automatic system checks."

Lieutenant Wyatt discussed the new in-processing procedures once PIPS kicks into high gear. 

"Once a person arrives at Malmstrom, they will receive a base in-processing checklist, like they do now," she said. "However, the checklist will require the member to switch their Common Access Card to Malmstrom at the Military Personnel Section's customer service area. They'll then see their computer support administrator to get a Malmstrom network account prior to coming to their scheduled MPS in-processing brief." 

At the brief, MPS will give the member a tri-fold with detailed instructions on the new in-processing system. Finance Airmen will then sponsor a help session in room 9 of Bldg. 1191 to assist with the PIPS process. The member can choose to come to this session or just use PIPS on their own.

"Depending on the participation and the rate of successful use of the program, we'll eventually wean away from these help sessions," Lieutenant Wyatt said. 

Finance customer service will still be available to answer newcomers' questions.

"They will audit your document prior to it being sent off for processing, but the streamlined processing of this system will reduce the overall document preparation time while completing a correct and standardized document," Lieutenant Wyatt said.

All documents will be housed in the member's PIPS account, and they will have access to them for six years and three months, she said.

Financial Services Transformation
PIPS is part of the Air Force's Financial Services Transformation. 

"We started at a point where a military member had to come to finance to make any changes at all to their military or travel pay," Lieutenant Wyatt said. "We are progressing to a point where most, if not all, finance transactions can be accomplished via a personal work station or a phone call." 

Some of the first steps in FST were the implementation of Defense Travel System, myPay and LeaveWeb. In December 2007, Malmstrom underwent a major step toward the FST end state by transferring processing workload to the Air Force Financial Services Center at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. 

"There is a lot of back shop processing involved to get people paid," the Lieutenant explained. "To streamline this workflow, processing moved from each individual base finance office to the AFFSC. This occurred in waves, with Air Force Space Command leading the way." 

Other recent programs moving the Air Force closer to the Financial Services of the future are Cash Forms Lite and 180 Frequently Asked Questions. Both of these applications can be accessed via the AF Portal, under the Life and Career tab, in Money-Finance Central. 

"Cash Forms Lite saves you time by reducing the need to visit the Financial Service Office for assistance with completing a manual form," Lieutenant Wyatt said. "It uses a 'Turbo Tax' like wizard to walk you through the form-filling process from your desktop. 

Cash Forms Lite produce a properly completed, standardized and legible form ready to sign and submit to the person's supervisor and/or approving official or directly to the Financial Service Office. 

"The 180 FAQs were put together and answered by finance's leading subject matter experts," the Lieutenant explained. "The goal is to save you a trip to finance customer service, by first looking for the answer to your finance-related questions on the Air Force Portal. These questions are organized by topic, most popular FAQ and user type. You can also search by keyword." 

Lieutenant Wyatt said Money-Finance Central is a key customer resource for financial services. 

"In addition to Cash Forms Lite and FAQs, it is a launch pad for myPay, DTS, vMPF, and LeaveWeb," she said. "It also has links to military pay and benefits charts, the Thrift Savings Plan, per diem rates and mileage rates. Just think of how much easier it would be to log into the Portal and find the answer to your finance question without having to leave your desk, drive to finance, wait in line, get your question answered, and then drive back to work." 

Within the next year, a call center will stand up at the AFFSC. Much like the Air Force Personnel Center, the 1-800 number will give around-the-clock answers to finance-related questions.