May 2015
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MILITARY COMPTROLLERS
K
S a n D i eg o C h a p t er
COMMUNICATOR
Vol. 8 Issue 5
FROM THE PRESIDENT
We just closed out the ASMC National year and I am pleased to announce our
Chapter has won some exceptional awards!! The many volunteers who keep our
chapter running did extraordinary things to achieve the accomplishments and awards
that we won this year. Congratulations ASMC San Diego for winning the
following Chapter Awards from National! For winning Overall Chapter Competition
Meritorious Award. This is an exceptional award in our chapter size category.
Winning Five Star Chapter recognition, which we have maintained consecutively
since 2004. For winning the Chapter Communications Distinguished Award 2nd
year in a row, tied with the Alamo City Chapter. This is the highest award in this
category and an incredible accomplishment to add to our placement in 2013 when we
received the Meritorious Award in this category.
And, for winning the
Community Service Award by demonstrating exceptional community service.
Upcoming
Luncheon:
August 26th
LOCATION:
MCRD Bay View Club
I want to thank the elected and appointed board members, the numerous volunteers
supporting our featured charities, and the San Diego Chapter members for attending
our luncheons, training events and supporting our chapter. We are closing out this
year with the combined highest and most awards won by this chapter and we should
all be proud!! 
If you are attending PDI in New Orleans, Brenda Meyer, our Executive Vice President,
will there representing the chapter at the National Council Meeting, receiving our
awards during the lunch general sessions and coordinating meeting and seating with
other San Diego chapter attendees. If you are attending this year please contact her
to let her know or if you see her around the convention center be sure to say hello.
Evelyn Peoples-Mahoney and Merlinda Medina, chapter board members, will be there
as well assisting Brenda.
Thanks and see you at our next ASMC event,
Ken Suazo
May 6 - Observance,
National Nurses Day
May 7 - Observance,
National Day of Prayer
May 16 - Observance,
Armed Forces Day
May 25 - National holiday,
Memorial Day
May 25 - Observance,
National Missing
Children's Day
Highlights in this Issue:
AWARDS NOTICE
TOUR PICTURES
NEWS FROM NATIONAL
SPECIAL ARTICLE
TRAINING INFO
2004-15 FIVE STAR CHAPTER
Memorial
Day
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AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MILITARY COMPTROLLERS
S a n D i eg o C h a p t er
COMMUNICATOR
Vol. 8 Issue 5
Pictures from the
special tour of the
USS Reagan that our
ASMC members
were privileged to
attend in April.
Excellent tour, great
information and
insight into this
unique ship!
Dan Dalton, Karen Dalton, Mike Finnell, Patty Finnell,
Letty Soto, Cathe Flores, Francisco Soto
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AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MILITARY COMPTROLLERS
S a n D i eg o C h a p t er
COMMUNICATOR
Vol. 8 Issue 5
Here are three more pictures of the USS
Reagan tour. Visit our website for the
complete gallery.
MEMBER NEWS – TRAINING AND CDFM:
The June 18, 2015 class is full.
Future classes are planned for January & June 2016.
The Enhanced Defense Financial Management Training Course (EDFMTC) is a five-day, intensive financial management review course taught in
three modules. The course is provided by the Department of Defense and is licensed and copyrighted by the American Society of Military
Comptrollers.
LINK TO ENROLL: https://www.atrrs.army.mil/edfmt/
This training is provided for a variety of reasons. First, the departmental leadership is interested improving the overall technical and managerial
capabilities of the financial management work force. Secondly, the program is designed to broaden the perspective of each financial manager
by introducing them to areas of expertise outside their daily responsibilities. Finally, the course assists in preparation for a stringent
examination, the Certified Defense Financial Manager. However, the course is only partial preparation and you should undertake a considerable
amount of additional study prior to registering for the CDFM examination.
While presented in an “overview” format, the material covered in the course varies in intensity from the intermediate level to the advanced
level. There are no prerequisites established by the ASMC for this course, only your selection by the Department of Defense to attend. The
course is delivered in a classroom setting with two instructors and a maximum of 32 students (”group-live”). On completion of the course you
will be awarded up to 40 continuing professional education hours, depending on your attendance.
The EDFMTC has been established as college-level instruction by the American Council on Education (ACE) and has a 3 credit hour
recommendation at the lower-level baccalaureate degree category for students who earn a C or higher in the course. For upper-level
baccalaureate credit, a written paper must be submitted in addition to completing the course with a B or higher for consideration of 3 credit
hours. You will also receive 8 hours of credit towards the FM Certification for level 1, and 32 hours of credit towards FM Certification for level 3.
Be sure to
check our
website
for new
pictures!!
LUNCHEON NEWS:
April’s Luncheon Speakers: John Skober and
Christine Esparza spoke on "Financial Improvement
and Audit Readiness - Past, Present and Future". If
you missed the luncheon you missed their discussion on
what 1982 and waves have to do with FIAR! If you’d
like details, their presentation is on our website under the
Library tab.
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AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MILITARY COMPTROLLERS
S a n D i eg o C h a p t er
COMMUNICATOR
Vol. 8 Issue 5
ASK MAC!
Dear Mac,
Can you explain when it’s appropriate to use a project order? Our team likes to use them since it
extends the life of the appropriation, but our Comptroller seems to go a little crazy every time we
mention using one for that reason. What are we doing wrong?
Deedee A. Broze
Deedee,
Using a project order does extend the life of the appropriation, although this should not be the primary reason for using
it. When a MIPR is handled under the Project Order Act, it is treated as if it were a contract between DoD and another
federal government activity. The issuing document must specifically state the request is a project order and it is obligated
upon acceptance by the receiving activity.
Project orders must be for non-severable efforts and at least 51% of the work must be done in-house by the receiving
activity. It’s the law. There are some key questions to consider before using a project order.
•
When is the work going to start? The bona fide need must occur in the availability period of the year of the funds
that are being used and the Financial Management Regulation allows until 31 December after the funds expire for
the work to begin
•
Is the effort non-severable? What are the deliverables, and when will they be delivered? The deliverables must be
specific and clearly defined.
•
Can the receiving activity perform the work? The organization that receives the project order must be capable of
performing the work. They cannot contract for a large portion or majority of the effort.
Project Orders are addressed in U.S. Code, Title 41, Section 23 (Project Order Act), and
DoD 7000.14-R, Volume 11A, Chapter 2. When in doubt, check with your friendly, local comptroller to see if the work that
you are planning warrants the use of a project order.
Thanks for a great question!
Sincerely,
Mac
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AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MILITARY COMPTROLLERS
S a n D i eg o C h a p t er
COMMUNICATOR
Vol. 8 Issue 5
SAVE THE DATE! American Society of Military Comptrollers will be hosting our premiere
training event, ASMC Training Day 2015 on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at the Naval Mine
Anti-Submarine Warfare Command (NMAWC). This event is co-sponsored by ASMC San Diego
Chapter and Defense Acquisition University Alumni Association (DAUAA) West Chapter. This daylong training event will have sixteen sessions offered on a variety of topics and will offer
attendees the opportunity to learn about current events and hot topics and network with other
professionals. The day will wrap up with a Distinguished Speaker Panel conducting a town hall
style discussion on current events in DoD.
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, 29 July.
Stay tuned for upcoming notices and we hope to see you there!
We are also looking for speakers/trainers for the event. If you are interested please contact
Joanne MacDonald-Morrow at [email protected].
 

Joanne MacDonald-Morrow
NEWS from NATIONAL:
PDI 2015 – Marching Forward – Be in that Number
Visit National’s website to register. http://pdi2015.org/registration/
Registration for PDI 2015 is now available! Payment is required at the time of registration so please be
sure you have obtained authorized funding and understand your organization’s regulations for payment.
Please note the following:
 For a list of answers to frequently asked questions, please visit our FAQ page!
 Attendees may participate in Monday and Tuesday sessions and special events if arriving early
enough on Tuesday.
 The PDI officially kicks off with Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday morning at 0800, followed by
Service Day activities.
 When completing online registration or the paper form, attendees should select which service day
activities (May 27) they wish to attend (Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, DFAS or Defense-Wide.)
 Breakfast and lunch are provided Wednesday – Friday as part of the registration fee. In addition,
one dinner is included in registration fee on Wednesday evening.
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AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MILITARY COMPTROLLERS
S a n D i eg o C h a p t er
COMMUNICATOR
Vol. 8 Issue 5
National Chapter Award Winners
Congratulations to all the winning chapters shown below!
Chapter Awards for 2015 will be presented at the PDI in New Orleans.
Overall Chapter Competition
A-1 Category
-Distinguished - Alamo City
-Meritorious - San Diego
A Category
-Distinguished - Gulf Coast
-Meritorious – Buckeye
B Category
-Distinguished - Sequoyah
-Meritorious - Great Jacksonville
C Category
-Distinguished - Great River
-Meritorious - High Desert
Chapter Communications
A-1 Category
-Distinguished - Alamo
City and San Diego (tie)
-Meritorious - Redstone Huntsville
A Category
-Distinguished - Buckeye
-Meritorious - Gulf Coast
B Category
-Distinguished - Sequoyah
-Meritorious - Greater
Jacksonville
C Category
-Distinguished - Great River
-Meritorious – Pioneer
Five Star Recognition
-Alamo City, Aloha, Aviation, Buckeye, Central NY Leatherstocking, Chesapeake, Cleveland,
Coastal Georgia, Evergreen, Fort Knox, Forty Niner, Great Plains, Great River, Greater
Jacksonville, Greater Stuttgart, Gulf Coast, Hampton Roads, Land of Lincoln, Middle Georgia,
Montgomery, Pikes Peak, Pioneer, .Red River, Redstone – Huntsville, San Diego, Sandhills,
Sequoyah, Southside Virginia, Utah, Washington, Yankee
Community Service
The following chapters have demonstrated exceptional community service and have met the required
number of hours in their chapter size category in the 2014 - 2015.
-Alamo City, Aloha, Aviation, Buckeye, Central NY Leatherstocking, Chesapeake,
Cleveland, Crown of Maine, Fort Knox, Great Plains, Great River, Greater Jacksonville,
Gulf Coast, Hampton Roads, Land of Lincoln, Middle Georgia, Pikes Peak, Pioneer, Red
River, Redstone – Huntsville, San Diego, Washington, Yankee.
Membership Growth
Absolute Growth - Great River
Percentage Growth - Naples
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AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MILITARY COMPTROLLERS
S a n D i eg o C h a p t er
COMMUNICATOR
Vol. 8 Issue 5
MEMBERSHIP LINKS:
Join ASMC:
http://www.asmconline.org/membership/join-renew/
E L E C T ED OF F I CE R S:
PRESIDENT:
Ken Suazo
[email protected]
619-532-1099 DSN 522
Update your Profile:
http://www.asmconline.org/membership/edit-profile/
Renew ASMC Membership:
http://www.asmconline.org/membership/renew/
EXEC VICE PRESIDENT:
Brenda Meyer, 619-553-1569
[email protected]
National Chapter Leadership Award
ADMIN VICE PRESIDENT:
Sherry Major, 619-532-4654
[email protected]
INFORMATION TECH. VICE PRESIDENT:
Patty Finnell, 619-532-4823 DSN 522
[email protected]
Congratulations to the newest Chapter Leadership
Award Winners! This award is given to recognize individuals for
outstanding continuous leadership, accomplishments and support of the
society at the chapter level.
SECRETARY:
Mike Ortiz, 619-533-4434
[email protected]
Ken Suazo, San Diego Chapter
TREASURER:
Genia Kyres, 619-553-1102
[email protected]
Leaders who lead by example, admit their mistakes and recognize their followers
have the best results as far as organizational growth and commitment. Ken possesses
all of these qualities and more. In 2012, Ken was elected as President of the ASMC
San Diego Chapter. Before becoming president, he was the Administrative Vice
President for more than five years. Since his presidency, he has changed and
renewed the culture of the board and the chapter and has inspired many to join his
remarkable team! Being a board member is difficult, but becoming President is more
than just a job, it is a commitment! Finding time to take on this new job is no easy
task, but he stepped up to the challenge and never looked back. Because of his
leadership, the chapter has reached out to speakers like Congresswoman Susan
Davis!
ASSISTANT TREASURER:
Michael Hoover, 619-524-3050
[email protected]
NATIONAL CHAPTER REP:
Helen Profeta, 619-532-1114 DSN 522
[email protected]
A P P OI N T E D P OS I TI O NS :
New!
SPECIAL ASSISTANT:
Letty Soto, 619- 553-8035
[email protected]
PHOTOGRAPHER:
Kaitlyn Krowel, 619-553-2754
[email protected]
In addition, Ken is always humble and is willing to give of himself rather than receive.
He takes the time to let the other board members know that he truly appreciates
what fellow members do. He has helped this chapter become more of a cohesive
team and listens to challenges, struggles and changes. He is always welcoming; he
makes the effort to acknowledge and appreciate members, and always gets to know
presenters so that they are comfortable at appearing at chapter events. His sincerity
touches your heart and makes you feel good about yourself and what you are doing
for the organization.
CHARITY CHAIRs:
Meghann Stastny & Merlinda Medina
[email protected] 553-2566
[email protected] 553-1299
CDFM CHAIR:
May Strickland 619-537-2079
Ken reminds us that leaders are never born; they are made through experiences and
possess qualities to help other succeed and grow.
SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR:
Evelyn Peoples-Mahoney, 619-553-1737
[email protected]
SPONSORSHIP CHAIR:
Frances Hill, 619-553-3856
[email protected]
SCHOLARSHIP CHAIR:
Jenny Giang, 619-553-2406
[email protected]
WEBMASTER:
Justin Tuyay
New!
CDFM CPEs:
50 minutes = 1 unit
Speaker for April 22rd Luncheon
30 minutes = .6 CPE