MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- New arrivals to the base can now in-process with finance using the Permanent Change of Station In-Processing System.

Misawa is the first base in the Pacific Air Forces to implement PiPS, a web-based financial system that provides general PCS in-processing information and discusses PCS travel entitlement and overseas military pay entitlements. The system also provides information on Misawa-specific PCS situations.

A by-product of AFSO 21 initiatives to streamline PCS in-processing, PiPS was designed to accurately capture specific PCS-related information needed to transfer servicemembers' records to their gaining base by having them answer a series of questions and automatically produce the documentation required by the Air Force Financial Services Center.

"PiPS uses the same concept as most common commercial tax software," said Master Sgt. Michael Dashler, 35th Comptroller Squadron chief of customer service. "Customers answer standardized questions that automatically populate various forms required for submission. Like filing tax returns online, the completed PiPS-generated forms are then electronically transmitted directly to AFFSC for processing."

PiPS offers many benefits including consistency and standardization, faster travel reimbursement, faster military pay records update, and document accuracy, according to Sergeant Dashler. All customers in-processing an installation now receive the same PCS briefing that contains all the information needed to ensure a smooth transition to their new duty station.

"Members no longer have to wait until the next Right Start briefing to in-process," said Sergeant Dashler. "Where customers used to wait from three days up to two weeks after arrival to be able to complete their financial in-processing and file for their travel reimbursement, they can now in-process through finance the same day they arrive on station."

In-processing sooner allows customers to receive their travel entitlements faster. With PiPS, the average customer's PCS travel voucher is paid three to seven days faster than before from the date of their arrival. In-processing sooner also allows finance to update members' military pay records in a timely manner increasing the likelihood that customers will receive their station allowances, such as temporary lodging, cost of living overseas housing, on the next available payday. Additionally, timely update of pay records allows finance to immediately stop members' housing allowances received from their last base for the entire PCS period, and minimizes indebtedness amounts or overpayments resulting from these adjustments.

PiPs has been fully implemented at Misawa for just over a month. During that time no PCS travel claims have been rejected by the AFFSC whereas before 10 to 20 percent of vouchers could not be processed due to illegible or poor handwriting.

"PiPS has been working well so far," said Sergeant Dashler. "There are a few challenges that we had to overcome and some we are still working on."

The new system should not affect most servicemembers until they PCS to a new base.

"Here at Misawa, PiPS directly impacts mostly new arrivals," he said. "PiPS may also impact sponsors because they have to ensure certain things are done first."

The sponsor needs to show the new arrival where the finance office is located and ensure the newcomer's common access card is reset to Misawa or they may not be able to properly access PiPS. For more information, contact the finance office at 226-9241.