Financial responsibility Published Jan. 6, 2009 By Maj. Michael Hackman 35th Comptrollers Squadron MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- We often see Armed Forces Network commercials about credit card debts and ways to save money -- basically stressing and promoting financial responsibility. While I don't disagree with these commercials, it made me wonder if people really understand what financial responsibility means. The question, "what is financial responsibility?" seems to be relatively simple, yet I haven't found a concise answer. Some people may define it as an obligation to prepare for one's future. Others may say it is simply managing monetary income. I can't disagree because I believe it's dependent upon an individual's perspective. However, I can say it is more than just preparing for the future and managing one's income. As the wing comptroller, I view the world of financial responsibility a bit differently than most people. I manage the wing's limited financial resources and determine how to use it effectively to successfully accomplish the various missions of Misawa Air Base, from the obvious budgeting for aircraft support and facility maintenance, to the less obvious of paying for various temporary duty assignment expenses. A wide variety of financial responsibilities rests on my shoulder. However, lots of players are involved to make it happen -- commanders, resource advisors and finance personnel, to name a few. In reality, it involves all members. And yes, this includes you. This past year, several investigations and audits were conducted on military pay and travel overpayments. Results showed some members were erroneously paid allowances such as basic allowance for housing, overseas housing allowance, basic allowance for substance, cost of living allowance and even deployment tax breaks. Similarly, there were instances where members were overpaid per diem and others mistakenly reimbursed for unauthorized travel expenses. Mistakes happen, yet many failed to notify anyone of the oversight and waited instead, to see if they will be discovered. Even during the collection process, some members refused to pay and insisted they should be entitled to keep the bonus because the government didn't catch it earlier. On the contrary, there are also members who come forward and disclose that they were overpaid. They return the money because they felt it was their obligation to do what is right, that it is their responsibility to return the money because it simply does not belong to them. What separates those who step forward to report an error versus those who wait to see if they get caught? It's the moral character of taking responsibility for the situation and doing what is right. Simply stated, it's about exercising financial responsibility to yourself, your peers, your leadership and ultimately, to your employer -- the taxpayer. It's a noble duty to exercise financial responsibility in conserving the limited resources our nation has entrusted to us. And ultimately, it comes down to upholding our core value of integrity first. I still believe financial responsibility varies by one's perspective, but its meaning should include "the obligation of doing things right." However you define financial responsibility, whether you relate it to preparing for your future, managing your income or managing resources entrusted to you, it should include integrity. Now, let me ask you, are you financially responsible?