B-136409, JUL. 10, 1958

IT IS INDICATED THAT THERE IS A RELUCTANCE TO DEPART FROM THE PRESENT UNIFORM PAY RECORD SYSTEM. THAT THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (COMPTROLLER) IS OF THE OPINION THAT THE PROPOSED SYSTEM SHOULD BE ADOPTED BECAUSE IT WILL MEET THE NEEDS OF THE ARMY FOR PAY OF THE TROOPS UNDER COMBAT CONDITIONS. WE WERE PRESENTED A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN PAYMENT OF ARMY PERSONNEL IN COMBAT. THE ARMY HAS INDICATED THAT THE PRESENT MILITARY PAY SYSTEM IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE UNDER COMBAT CONDITIONS. IT IS REPORTED THAT TROOP UNIT ASSIGNMENTS CHANGE SO FLUIDLY UNDER COMBAT CONDITIONS THAT THEY CANNOT BE SERVICED DIRECTLY BY FINANCE OFFICERS WITHOUT THE PARTICIPATION OF UNIT PERSONNEL OFFICES.