Noland I Flores

Current Burdensome Pay Processes of the Mobilized Army National Guard Soldier: Finding Better Options Noland I Flores

The Department of Defense and the Army has been aware of million dollar pay problems associated with the Army National Guard (ARNG) and Reserve pay system ever since their role in Operation Desert Storm. These pay problems associated with the ARNG and Reserve pay system have exponentially grown ever since their increased role since 9/11. These million dollar pay discrepancies continue to this date and the Army has not been able to fix the problem. The culprit is an outdated system, namely the Defense Joint Military Pay System-Reserve Component (DJMS-RC), which does not link personnel actions with pay. As a result, the current pay processes system and controls include error-prone manual transaction entries into multiple non-integrated systems that result in numerous over and under payments and late payments to mobilized ARNG Soldiers. In an attempt to correct the deficiencies in pay, the Army thus far has not been able to introduce the Defense Integrated Military Human Resources System (DIMHRS) successfully. This study exposes discrepancies between regulations and actual practices in the mobilization pay process of the ARNG that increase the likelihood of problems associated with pay. Additionally, this research explores ways that the ARNG can reduce pay problems with its current pay system and quality assurance mechanisms in place.