MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- The Depot Finance Office has recently experienced an increase in customers who are both unfamiliar and unaware of Marine Corps regulations regarding government credit card use.The Corps' policy regarding the use of government credit cards is not new, but according to James L. Walker, officer-in-charge of the Depot's Travel Section, many Marines are not properly informed, even though the regulations are "not really complicated." The Travel and Transportation Act of 1998 states that unless otherwise exempted, all DoD personnel are required to use the government-sponsored, contractor-issued charge card for all expenses arising from official government travel. Although a traveler is required to use the government travel charge card, failure to do so will not be a basis for refusing to reimburse the traveler for otherwise appropriate charges. Not using the card, however, may subject the traveler to administrative or disciplinary action.After four years of amendments and legislation, the Travel and Transportation Act of 1998 was fully adopted by the Marine Corps May 13, 2002, but Depot financial officials believe there are not enough Marines who understand and follow the Marine Corps Order."Everyone that has the potential to travel [Temporary Additional Duty] through their command should be issued a government credit card upon arrival," said Walker, a former Marine who spent 20 years in the Corps. "The Marine Corps Order requires government employees to use government credit cards while traveling with orders, but people have been getting lax. They need to know they are not using the cards properly."Walker believes that the responsibility of government credit card education falls on the senior Marines. "Marines are not being taught the rules and regulations of government travel cards," he said.The official rules and regulations can be obtained from the Depot Finance Office or online in MCO 4600.40A. An amendment to the initial Congressional act provides an exemption from mandatory use of the card for cards denied, canceled, or suspended by the card contractor or by the cardholder's agency/organization. The exemption will not apply when cardholders cancel their own accounts."A lot of people think this is a local thing, but it's not," said Walker. "It is Marine Corps wide. People are going to have to comply whether they like it or not."