(2) Final appeal letters will be forwarded promptly by the National Range Commander to the BMD Program Manager with an indorsement setting forth in detail the facts and circumstances surrounding the action taken.

(d) Renewals. Entry authorizations having been granted and utilized may be extended or renewed upon request at the expiration of the period for which the entry was originally authorized or extended provided the justification for remaining in the area or for making a reentry meets the criteria set forth in this procedure. It shall be the responsibility of every applicant to depart Kwajalein Missile Range upon expiration of the time prescribed in the entry authorization, unless such authorization has been extended or renewed. Failure to comply herewith will be considered as evidence or violation of this procedure and may result in denial of future authorizations.

Supervisor of civilians.

527.32 Installation check control officer. 527.33 Identification card issuing facility. 527.34 Personnel of other Services. 527.35 Appeals.

527.36 Disposal and transfer of records.

Subpart D-Monthly Dishonored Check Report, RCS: CSCOA-105

527.37

Purpose.

527.38 Source of data.

527.39 Preparation.

527.40 Frequency, routing, and due dates. 527.41 Relinquishing data.

Subpart E-Training

527.42 Ethics and military competence. 527.43 Personal financial readiness/soldier

money management (PFR/SMM). 527.44 Initial entry training.

527.45 Remedial training.

APPENDIX A TO PART 527-REFERENCES

AUTHORITY: 5 U.S.C. 5511-5512; 37 U.S.C. 1007; 18 U.S.C. 1382; Articles 123a, 133, and 134, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ, Art 123a, 133, and 134).

SOURCE: 53 FR 19286, May 27, 1988, unless otherwise noted.

Subpart A-Introduction

SECTION I-GENERAL

§ 527.1 Purpose and scope.

(a) This regulation prescribes policies and procedures to—

(1) Control and prevent abuse of check-cashing privileges.

(2) Reduce losses to appropriated fund (AF) and nonappropriated fund (NAF) activities.

(b) Policies and procedures for cashing checks or redeeming dishonored checks at check-cashing facilities are not within the scope of this regulation. These are prescribed by the proponent agencies of the activities providing check-cashing services to patrons for their facilities in—

(1) AR 60-20/AFR 147-14 and Exchange Service Manual 55-21 for Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) facilities.

(2) AR 30–19 and the Commissary Operating Manual for commissary resale activities.

(3) AR 215-1 and AR 215-2 for U.S. Army Community and Family Support activities.

(4) AR 37-103 for finance and accounting offices.

(c) Policies and procedures for all suspensions of check-cashing privileges and appeal actions on such suspensions, regardless of where the dishonored check was returned on the installation, are governed by this regulation.

§ 527.2 References.

Required and related publications are listed in appendix A to this part.

§ 527.3 Explanation of abbreviations and terms.

Abbreviations and special terms used in this regulation are explained in the glossary.

§ 527.4 Department of the Army (DA) objective.

Prevention of abuse of check-cashing privileges includes all measures taken to reduce acts of abuse or misuse to the lowest possible level. Factors leading to this abuse stem mainly from lack of education and experience in managing personal finances. The DA objective is to ensure all soldiers acquire and maintain knowledge, skills, and motivation needed to practice responsible personal financial management.

SECTION II-RESPONSIBILITIES

§ 527.5 Director, Finance & Accounting, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management).

The Director, Finance & Accounting, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management) (OASA (FM)) establishes and administers the Department of the Army (DA) program to control and prevent abuse of checkcashing privileges on Army installations by Department of Defense (DOD) personnel. The Director, Finance & Accounting (OASA(FM)) will—

to

(a) Give technical assistance major Army commands (MACOMs) and installations with regard to their dishonored check programs.

(b) Coordinate with Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel (DCSPER)/USACFSC on aspects of the check-cashing abuse prevention program pertaining to morale and welfare.

(c) Maintain liaison with the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans and the Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) on Personal Financial Readiness/Soldier Money Management (PFR/SMM) in DA service schools and training centers.

§ 527.6 Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel/U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center.

The Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel/U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center (DCSPER/USACFSC) will

(a) Advise the Director, Finance & Accounting (OASA (FM)) on personnel aspects of the program affecting the morale and welfare of DA members.

(b) Establish, maintain, and administer PFR/SMM and counseling services for DA personnel and their family members within the Army Community Service (ACS) Center program.

(c) Coordinate with the Director, Finance & Accounting (OASA(FM)) on the PFR/SMM aspect of the ACS consumer education training and budget counseling.

(d) Include PFR/SMM in the curriculum of the Army Continuing Education

System and other DA schools administered by DSCPER that serve DA personnel and their family members.

§ 527.7 Heads of Headquarters, Department of the Army and field operating agencies.

Heads of Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) and field operating agencies will

(a) Prescribe procedures and conditions for providing check-cashing service to patrons of their facilities.

(b) Coordinate with the Director, Finance & Accounting (OASA(FM)) on policies and procedures to control and prevent dishonored checks. (See AR 310-3, para 1–9.)

§ 527.8 Commanders of major Army commands (MACOMs).

MACOM commanders will—

(a) Support and monitor the Dishonored Check Control Program

(1) At intermediate or subordinate commands.

(2) At installations reporting directly to their headquarters.

(b) Give policy and procedural guidance to subordinate elements within their jurisdictions.

(c) Monitor effectiveness of the command Dishonored Check Control Program.

(d) Evaluate the Dishonored Check Control Program monthly.

(e) Ensure all subordinate elements within their jurisdiction conduct ongoing PFR/SMM training and educational programs. (See Training Circular 21-7)

(f) Establish a monitoring and evaluation system to ensure

(1) Training programs are managed effectively.

(2) Training programs agree with DA goals, objectives, and guidelines.

(2) Repeat of the course for trainees not achieving the lesson standard.

(c) Ensure programs of instruction (POI) of the Army Finance School include courses that equip finance officers and noncommissioned officers to assist in providing PFR/SMM to soldiers and units in the field. (See Training Circular 21–7).

§ 527.10 Installation commanders. Installation commanders (or equivalent) or designated representatives will

(a) Maintain, support, and monitor installation programs to control and prevent abuse of check-cashing privileges.

(b) Set up check control offices under the direct control of active duty commissioned or warrant officers, senior noncommissioned officers, or DA civilians GS-7 and above. Prior to the appointment of an installation check control officer (ICCO), the commander should review the provisions of §§ 527.13 and 527.31, and consider which major organizational element has staff supervision over

(1) The majority of check-cashing facilities.

(2) The extension or withdrawal of installation privileges.

(3) The overstamping of identification (ID) cards.

(c) Ensure that if responsibility of ICCO is transferred from one organizational element to another, that resources are transferred also.

(d) Approve/disapprove appeals of suspended check-cashing privileges when checkwriter has committed four more offenses.

or

(e) Appoint an individual or individuals serving at an installation staff directorate level to act on appeals of suspended check-cashing privileges when the checkwriter has committed 3 offenses.

(f) Appoint an individual or individuals serving at an installation staff division level to act on appeals of suspended check-cashing privileges when the checkwriter has committed 2 offenses.

(g) Ensure the priority of educational efforts is based on the needs of personnel under their command.

(h) Ensure the POI for suspended personnel will stress

(1) Career consequences of abuse of check-cashing privileges.

(2) Referral to individual and family counseling sources, when required.

(i) During inprocessing at permanent change of station for the following:

(1) Soldiers (E1 through E5). Emphasis will be on

(i) Basics of checkbook management. (ii) Check to financial organization pay option.

(iii) Consequences of abuse of checkcashing privileges.

(iv) Counseling services.

(2) Leaders (E6 through E9 and officers). Education will stress

(i) The command unique elements of the dishonored check problem.

(ii) Leaders' responsibilities for role setting, training troops, and applying discipline.

(3) DA civilians and Family members. Education and counseling will be offered on a voluntary basis in accordance with AR 608-1.

§ 527.11 Unit commanders.

Unit commanders will assist the post/ installation commander in the control and prevention of check-cashing privilege abuse. Unit commanders will—

(a) Advise all newly arrived personnel during the initial interview of their responsibilities for the proper use of personal checking accounts and checkcashing privileges and ensuring that their family members are aware of the same. Also determine the capabilities of the soldier for maintaining their checking account.

(b) Deliver notices of dishonored check offenses and suspensions to unit members and counsel them within 2 days of written notification.

(c) Take actions to properly settle the personal debts of soldiers if soldiers under their command issue dishonored checks. Articles 15, 121, 123a, and 133 or 134 of the UCMJ may be applied as stated in AR 600-20, para 5-10.

(d) Approve/disapprove appeals of suspended check-cashing privileges if a soldier or family member has committed a first offense.

(e) Recommend approval or disapproval of appeal actions to the indi

vidual appointed by the installation commander for 2 or more offenses.

(f) Determine whether the overstamping of an ID card is necessary if this is the checkwriter's first or second offense. As a disciplinary and control action this is advised.

(g) Schedule soldiers for remedial training and encourage family members who have written dishonored checks to attend this training.

§ 527.12 Supervisors of civilians.

Where DOD civilians are authorized check-cashing privileges the supervisors of these civilians will—

(a) Deliver notices of dishonored check offenses and suspensions to employees and counsel them.

(b) Approve/disapprove appeals of suspended check-cashing privileges if the employee has committed a first offense.

(c) Recommend approval or disapproval of appeal actions to the individual appointed by the installation commander for 2 or more offenses.

(d) Schedule employees for remedial training when the checkwriter has committed an offense.

§ 527.13 Installation check control offi

cer.

The ICCO is the primary contact for dishonored check matters The ICCO will

(a) Serve as liaison between commander and check-cashing facilities. (b) Be authorized to suspend checkcashing privileges.

(c) Maintain and circulate a dishonored check list. (See §527.32(c))

(d) Maintain a central file of dishonored checkwriters (See § 527.32(a))

(e) Establish a grace period of 10 calendar days. The grace period will be 10 calendar days from the date of the written dishonored check notification. The ICCO may allow additional time on a case by case basis (i.e. checkwriter is TDY or no leave away from the installation.). There will be a standard grace period for all check-cashing facilities.

(f) Establish an installation test on checkbook maintenance. Those attending remedial training will have to pass this test prior to being removed from the dishonored check list. The test

may be open book. The test criteria should include:

(1) Posting samples of: checks written, deposits (direct deposits, interest, cash, and checks), check charges, printing fees, and bank card transactions.

(2) Maintaining the check register balance.

(3) Reconciling check register to bank statement.

(4) Scoring 70 or greater to pass.

(g) Evaluate the effectiveness of the installation Dishonored Check Control Program using the Monthly Dishonored Check Report (RCS: CSCOA-105). Distribute the report in accordance with § 527.40.

(h) Set up points of contact with all installation facilities providing financial management and consumer awareness training and counseling. Make unit commanders aware of these resources.

(i) Notify installation commander and military police or Army criminal investigation office of any pattern of check-cashing abuse suggesting fraud, forgery, or improper use of ID cards.

(j) Set up liaison with installation ID card issuing facility.

(k) Reinstate check-cashing privileges when an appeal has been approved in accordance with §§ 527.25 through 527.28 or when the suspension period is over. The checkwriter must have redeemed the dishonored check, paid the administrative/service charges, attended remedial training, and passed the installation test on checkbook

maintenance.

(1) Maintain and conduct an effective installation PFR/SMM program, as required by subpart E. (See Training Circular 21-7).

(m) Maintain a counseling or counseling referral service to help personnel solve personal financial problems, develop budgets, formulate debt liquidation plans, get consumer protection, and buy on credit wisely. All installation resources will be used to develop this service; for example, ACS centers and on post financial institutions. Counseling services will be open to personnel and their families on a voluntary basis.

(n) Ensure DA issued articles are published in post media in coordination

with the public affairs office. Publicize benefits of the counseling service, with emphasis on the preventive nature of the program.

§ 527.14 Finance officer.

The finance officer will assist the ICCO in the control and prevention of check-cashing privilege abuse. The finance officer will

(a) Assist the unit commander in conducting training for personnel in checkbook maintenance by providing instructional material.

(b) Provide installation commander with management information concerning the level of dishonored checks using the Monthly Dishonored Check Report (Fig 4-1).

(c) Cash a soldier's personal check when the soldier is on the dishonored check list, is on SURE-PAY, has a nonlocal checking account, and the soldier has a written request from his/her commander to the finance officer requesting this service. If the check is returned due to insufficient funds, collection action will occur IAW DODPM and AR 37-103 for the amount of the check, plus any administrative or service charge.

(d) Establish procedures in Central Accounting Office for accounting for nonappropriated fund dishonored