[Request for Reconsideration of Expense Claim]

An administrative officer of the Indiana Army National Guard requested reconsideration of a member's claim for reimbursement of personal funds which he spent to purchase food supplies for his unit on a weekend training mission. The Claims Group disallowed the claim on the basis that a government employee cannot create a valid claim in his favor by paying an obligation of the United States from his own funds. The member had not followed normal purchasing procedures because the routine paperwork which was required to obtain the necessary purchasing authority was not completed in time. In reviewing the claim, GAO stated that the individual had exercised commendable initiative and had acted in the government's best interest. GAO also stated that his action had met the test of "public necessity" because the training mission would have been disrupted had the member not taken prompt action. Accordingly, the voucher, if otherwise correct, may be submitted for payment.