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Navy's Newest Aircraft Carrier Goes Cashless

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100202-31
Release Date: 2/2/2010 5:04:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua D. Sheppard, USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va., (NNS) -- USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) recently became the Navy's latest ship to begin using the Navy Cash Card as the sole form of payment for goods on board.

Bush unveiled its Navy Cash Card system in a ceremony held at the main ship store Jan. 12. Commanding Officer Capt. Chip Miller made the first purchase; Navy Working Uniform turtle-neck sweaters. The launching of the Cash Card System is the culmination of many months of work by the ship's Supply department.

"The roll out process started with the initial mass enrollment done on the mess decks late last year," Ensign Michael Park, Bush's disbursing officer said.

This system is designed to reduce the need for carrying cash for daily expenses while at sea. After the initial issue of Navy Cash Cards, cashless automatic teller machines were installed throughout the ship.

"There is always a learning curve to every new process," said Ensign Daniel B. Monteith, Supply Department's S3 division officer. "Getting our ship up to speed with Navy Cash has probably been an easier process than with other ships since there are many on board who have previously worked with it on other platforms as both user and operator."

The Navy Cash Card system is designed to streamline purchases for Sailors both aboard ship and ashore. It allows Sailors two separate methods to purchase goods. The cards have an embedded reloadable chip for purchases on board and a magnetic stripe for purchases in town. Money can be added to the card by allotment, bank account transfer or by bringing cash to the disbursing office for deposit.

"Disbursing is still issuing cards out to the crew and will continue until the whole crew and the air wing has cards," Park said.

Sailors still needing a Navy Cash Card can report to the Disbursing office at 2-124-2-Q and fill out the request form. Disbursing will issue a temporary Navy Cash Card to allow Sailors to make purchases until their permanent card arrives. By early February, Navy Cash will be the only means of payment on board Bush, Park said.

With the institution of the Navy Cash Card System aboard USS George H.W. Bush, all Navy aircraft carriers are now cash-free environments.