Courtesy Photo | (Center) Pfc. Willie Lemusu, a Futiga, Tuila American Samao native with the A/126th...... read more read more
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FOB UNION III, IZ, Iraq — "When the Army gets the call, we'll be ready one and all. There'll be a Finance Soldier close at hand." This may be part of the Finance Soldier's song, but, it also emphasizes that whenever the Army is called to battle, Finance will always be there to support all Soldiers.
The U.S. Army Finance Corps originated on June 16, 1775, when the Second Continental Congress introduced a resolution appointing a Paymaster General of the Army. Since that day, the U.S. Army has always provided financial services to its Soldiers. The Army finance organization has been organized in separate elements or integrated into existing units with the Army.
On Forward Operation Base Union III, Soldiers of Alpha Detachment, 126th Financial Management Company, provide disbursing and military pay services. Disbursing cashier, Pfc. Francisco Nunez, from Dangriga Town, Belize, said, "I like money and money likes me. I keep my money on my mind and my mind on my money, or else I have to pay for it. As a cashier I have to make sure I am always balanced out by the end of the day, or I have to pay it back."
Finance Soldiers are completely responsible for any money they sign for, be it one dollar or one million dollars. "I take a lot of Army Pride in providing outstanding customer service for all the deployed Soldiers," said Pfc. Shaunna Logan, a military pay clerk with the 126th FM Co. from Phoenix.
Every day, finance Soldiers head out the gate to satellite offices on FOB Prosperity to disburse cash to the Soldiers there. FOB Prosperity is home to a large number of Soldiers who do not have the ability to travel to other locations within the International Zone. However, when Soldiers in the outskirts of the IZ can't get to finance, finance will go to them.
On a weekly basis, finance Soldiers move by ground or air in order to ensure that service members and Department of Defense civilians on outlined FOB's have access to their funds. In the middle of the night, one may find a Financial Management Support Team waiting on the "Rough Riders" to convoy them to any number of FOBs. Pfc. Willie Lemusu, from Futiga,Tuila American Samao said, "The convoy commander brief is very important. The brief covers the last 48 hours of activities on the route and plans of action in case of enemy contact."
Several Alpha Det., 125th FM Company noncommissioned officers conduct Pre-Combat Inspections and Pre-Combat Checks to ensure their Soldiers are ready for the mission. Sgt 1st Class Katie Dominique, from Tellahmo, Tenn., and the detachment sergeant for Alpha 126th FM Co. said, "It is evident that our Soldiers have the best training and are the best at what they do. They are willing, ready and able and they are proving themselves every day. They will continue to do their utmost best for America's deployed Soldiers."
| Date Taken: | 12.06.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 12.06.2009 07:57 |
| Story ID: | 42371 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 300 |
| Downloads: | 233 |
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