The Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) Norfolk Navy Cash Fleet Support Group held a fleet engagement meeting April 24-25, bringing together various entities involved in the Navy Cash system used by disbursing and ship's stores aboard ships.

According to Navy Cash Fleet Support Group Director Hugh Chin, program managers and support personnel from various agencies such NAVSUP, Treasury, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, ENTILITY Corporation, type commanders, The Navy Exchange Command and fleet logistics centers provide updates and to hear from customers such as disbursing officers, sales officers and leading ship's servicemen and personnel specialists during the two-day meeting.

"This is a great opportunity for face-to-face interaction with ships and the Navy Cash team to discuss various topics and obtain direct feedback," Chin explained.

Several topics were discussed during the meeting, including system updates, new equipment, the upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 and lessons learned. Navy Cash is currently transferring responsibility for Navy Cash Cards from JPMorgan Chase to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and attendees were briefed on the progress of this switch.

Chin said this included discussions on the future of Navy Cash and disbursing operations to include a new financial reporting system, and new Navy Cash hardware similar to systems used in Walmart, Lowes, Target that is currently being implemented on ships. Attendees were briefed on the one-card solution for joint services where everyone is using same card, Navy Cash's re-carding efforts to include lessons learned and future improvements, future self-serve options for customers, cybersecurity, and Basic Qualification Course improvements. Navy Cash personnel also held discussions take recommendations from the attendees from area ships.

The Navy Cash card is a branded debit card that looks like a typical debit or check card. Navy Cash combines a chip-based electronic purse (stored-value function) with the traditional magnetic stripe (debit card and ATM function). The electronic purse replaces currency aboard ship.

According to Chin, the re-carding to the new bank is ahead of schedule and should be completed by October. He added that attendees discussed experiences overseas with vendors accepting cards and benefits that Treasury offers such as covering international transaction fees and capability to obtain foreign currency at local ATMs.

Chin concluded by saying the meeting was a success, both in providing shipboard Sailors in attendance new information on running their Navy Cash system and NAVSUP personnel and their Navy Cash partners receiving excellent feedback to help make the program even better.

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