Germantown Goes Cashless
Story Number: NNS061213-22
12/13/2006 By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Matthew N. Jackson, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Germantown (LSD 42) became the 100th Navy ship to adopt the Navy/Marine Cash card financial system Dec. 12.
The cash management system began April 2001 to allow afloat Sailors and Marines "24/7" access to make purchases electronically using a commercial debit card.
“The card can be used for all purchases aboard the ship so it’s a lot easier for Sailors,” said Lt. j.g. Jeffrey Seto, Germantown disbursing officer. “The best thing about the card for me is it reduces the disbursing office workload because we don’t handle as much money.”
Sailors and Marines are able to receive electronic pay, access bank and credit union accounts, transfer and withdraw funds, and make purchases, ashore and on ships.
According to Sean Kenealy, a military defense contractor, Navy Cash cards provide more security and flexibility than paper money.
“If your wallet is lost or stolen your money is gone, but the card can be replaced, and there is a $25 dollar spending limit without a personal identification number (PIN)," said Kenealy. "Also, you can go to your disbursing officer and have it canceled immediately,”
Card users can withdraw funds from more than 900,000 ATMs worldwide and make purchases at more than 32 million merchants.
“I think it’s a good change," said Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class (SW) Josh D. Cowsky. "It’s a simple, fast and effective way of using money on the ship. You don’t have to worry about your money getting stolen, which is really nice.”
Kenealy is scheduled to go underway with Germantown to teach machine operation and maintenance to personnel specialists working in the disbursing office.
“It’s much easier to manage your money, and it limits responsibility for commands and Sailors by taking cash out of the equation," said Kenealy. "There is less cash to count and less opportunities to make a mistake.”
The Navy plans for 175 ships to adopt the new system by the end of FY 2008. | 
