MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. 08/29/2013 – Cherry Point’s Installation Personnel Administration Center started a new initiative to streamline the process for service members who have administrative questions.
“Ask IPAC Cherry Point” encourages Marines to send questions related to everything administrative to an organizational mailbox. IPAC subject matter experts are ready to take on questions from basic allowance for housing rates to permanent change of station entitlements. They will provide answers within 24-48 hours with attached references.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Maria P. Pettus, the director of IPAC at Cherry Point, came up with the idea for the program while stationed in Okinawa. When Pettus transferred to Cherry Point, she briefed her team here on her vision and took action to implement it.
“Marines will no longer have to wait around at IPAC to get a simple question answered,” said Pettus.
Pettus advises Marines to use the program to their advantage and avoid emailing Headquarters Marine Corps or the Marine Corps Administration Analysis Team with questions that should be handled here at the air station.
“It’s only been going on since Aug. 19, and we’ve only had positive responses to the system so far,” she said. “As the local IPAC here, it is our responsibility to take care of our Marines.”
Marines will still be required to submit a personnel action request for anything requiring unit diary action.
“I’m pretty confident about this initiative,” said Pettus. “I’m hoping that once the word gets out, Marines will not hesitate to use it.”
While Marines are encouraged to consult their chain of command, they can send questions to CHPT_IPAC_OMB@usmc.mil.