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JBSA News
NEWS | Nov. 13, 2020

Feedback Fridays

By Brig. Gen. Caroline M. Miller 502d Air Base Wing Commander

Feedback Fridays is a weekly forum that aims to connect the 502d Air Base Wing with members of the Joint Base San Antonio community. Questions are collected during commander’s calls, town hall meetings and throughout the week.

If you have a question or concern, please send an email to jbsapublicaffairs@gmail.com using the subject line “Feedback Fridays.” Questions will be further researched and published as information becomes available.

Q. There has been quite a few occasions lately on the South Ramp crossing from JBSA-Randolph to the golf course and vice versa where support vehicles and aircraft being towed to and from the West Ramp are having to slow down or stop because people are not waiting for them to pass. 

The signs on both ends say “Please stop here for all crossing aircraft and vehicles.”  

Is there a way to get it out to personnel who frequently visit the golf course and the South Gate area that personnel who work on the ramp have the right of way at that crossing? It’s not just a stop sign for actual taxiing aircraft; it’s a stop for support vehicles as well.

A. Great question!  We would like to remind drivers to follow the new metal and concrete-painted signage posted this June. Additionally, visitor sponsors have a responsibility to inform their drivers of the same as well as ensure their drivers know how to get to their final destination.

Here are the rules for driving past the South Gate entrance:

1.) Stop at the stop sign heading northwest on South Cross, which is (Golf Road) paralleling Taxiway Fox/South Ramp

2.) Look East – (South Ramp) and West – (Fox/Echo Taxiways) prior to crossing South Cross for moving aircraft and government vehicles

Note: Do not cut off traffic from the South Ramp and Taxiway Fox/Echo

3.)  When all is clear of flight line traffic – you are cleared to proceed straight to the North end of South Cross (Golf road) – do not turn.

For more information, refer to this JBSA news story: https://www.jbsa.mil/News/News/Article/2225946/operation-echo-seeks-reduction-of-airfield-intrusions-at-jbsa-randolph/

Q. Hello, Brig. Gen. Miller, please post the answers to the following in the JBSA Legacy, because myself and others have dealt with this and if they are moving all civilian pay to JBSA-Lackland, I think all civilians should know. 

I am writing this with a heavy heart because it has caused me sleepless nights. 

Problem #1:  I have been trying to get a certifier to be able to sign my timecards, leave requests, etc., in ATAAPs since October 2019.  I have the trail of emails to show for it. 

Since I received no reply, I was given the name of the Section Chief, Unique Missions and their group inbox which you get when you call the JBSA-Randolph number.  This trail of emails started in August 2020. I received no replies to those emails. 

Today, Oct. 9, is the last day that we’re supposed to be able to submit timecards prior to the holiday. The section chief, sent me a “correct 577” to use.  I don’t see a difference in the forms but I would have been sent this back, had I not been ignored. 

The problem is, my certifier is on leave today so she can’t sign it.  I’m almost sure I’ll get paid, because I have lots of leave and when not certified, I’ll get charged leave.  This is my pay and they are not concerned.  Can you get them to explain why a finance customer service organization, won’t answer emails? 

Problem #2:  I went to Building 399 and was told by a military person that I need to put in a request or work-order; I tried but I have screenshots where the site was not found, using Google Chrome & Internet Explorer. 

The thing that’s most frustrating is that I was told that there is no more Civilian Pay at JBSA-Randolph and there won’t be a Civilian Pay at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston. All will be at JBSA-Lackland. 

If that is true, please explain why, because there is such a large civilian presence at all locations. I know human contact/customer service is almost non-existent these days and that’s not with Finance only and it’s not just because of COVID-19 either, but why is that so?

A. First, we apologize for the difficulties you have been having in trying to get this matter addressed. The ATAAPS Timekeeper/Certifier Access process has been a difficult process to maintain and streamline.

Guidance and updated forms have been sent across JBSA to designated unit timekeepers.

It is imperative that each unit has multiple people designated as ATAAPS certifiers. This ensures that if someone is on leave, each employees’ timesheet can still be certified. Our Comptroller Squadron, CPTS, is using the Comptroller Services Portal at https://usaf.dps.mil/teams/SAFFMCSP/portal/SitePages/Home.aspx to track all customer inquiries, keep track of conversations and increase customer response consistency.

There you can also read knowledge articles where we guide members with required documents and templates to submit inquiries that are immediately actionable by CPTS. 

Our CPTS civilian payroll office has also put in place a step-by-step process explaining how to properly fill out the DD Form 577 and DAO 101 training from start to finish so that when the forms are submitted we can quickly verify the information provided. These forms will be readily available on the Comptroller Services Portal Homepage under the Civilian Pay category in early November. 

Not only will the forms be made available but instructions for each role will be provided to ensure these forms are not being rejected and delaying this process even further. Our goal is to be able to assign the proper rights for requested role within three business days.

I do want to clarify, while the 502nd CPTS has consolidated the Budget & Accounting Flight at JBSA-Lackland and we’ve had quite a bit of turnover recently, all JBSA locations have a Financial Operations Flight office to assist our military or civilian customers during walk-in hours for pay related questions.  

I’ve now clarified with all CPTS personnel to ensure my team understands how to serve customers regardless of the uniform they wear to work. All CPTS locations are open for walk-in customer service from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. 

We’ll gladly assist customers (military and civilian) with submitting Comptroller Service Portal (CSP) inquiries and answering any other concerns or inability to access, particularly DHA customers or those without Air Force Network access.  I hope this answered your concerns.