Consolidating Military Pay and Self-Service Supply Stores on Oahu

The Army has two organizations responsible for military pay on Oahu in Hawaii: (1) the U.S. Army Support Command, Hawaii, (USASCH) Finance and Accounting Office at Ft. Shafter and (2) the 25th Infantry Division's 125th Finance Company at Schofield Barracks. The two organizations service pay records for almost 18,000 army personnel. A 1977 study recommended immediate consolidation of a USASCH suboffice at Schofield with the 125th Finance Company and eventual full consolidation. Study data showed potential savings of 10 spaces and $100,000 annually. Army officials decided against the consolidation because of the 25th Infantry Division's need to be self-sufficent when deployed. The objections raised to consolidated military pay do not outweigh the advantages, and consolidation of Army military pay functions on Oahu warrants reconsideration. USASCH has self-service supply stores at both Ft. Shafter and Schofield Barracks. In August 1977, USASCH considered closing the Ft. Shafter store but did not because insufficient staffing prevented the General Services Administration (GSA) from taking on the additional workload. In January 1978, GSA advised that self-service supply assistance could be made available to the Army; Army data at that time showed no need for additional staff. Closure of the Ft. Shafter store would result in reduction of five personnel spaces costing about $66,000 annually, but savings would be offset to some extent by additional costs for personnel and transportation.