DFAS director learns Pacific specifics

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Carolyn Viss
  • 15th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  The Director, Defense Finance and Accounting Service visited Hickam AFB Oct. 16 to tour the base, the 15th Comptroller Squadron, and interact with DFAS customers here in the Pacific. 

Teresa "Terri" McKay, who oversees the day-to-day accounting and finance activities of the Department of Defense, was on island to attend a conference for the American Society of Military Comptrollers. While here, she met with all four services. 

"I learned about mission in the Pacific," Ms. McKay said. "I didn't realize emphasis on security cooperation - it's really interesting, not something I normally think about." 

Getting what she called "great questions" from customers provoked thoughts and ideas about how DFAS might deliver better services to their customer base here, she said. 

Each year, the agency disburses more than $446 billion by processing 154.6 million pay transactions to 5.9 million military, civilians, retirees and annuitants; 14 million commercial invoices and 6.9 million travel vouchers and settlements. 

Ms. McKay came away with ideas of how DFAS might do business differently to meet the challenges unique to Hickam AFB, including time zone differences that affect hours this base can operate. 

"I care about Hickam and the mission here because you are part of supporting and defending America, and my job is to support your mission," Ms. McKay said. 

Learning how DFAS service delivery can be improved to support that mission was her No. 1 priority. 

"A great partnership we have with comptroller career field and I am happy I was able to see what the needs are here at Hickam."