TOP STORY >>What happens when you lose, damage or destroy an asset?

By Patty Webber
314th Logistics Readiness Squadron

Did you know that the Report of Survey (ROS) program is a procedure in which the government accounts for property that is lost, damaged or destroyed? If the loss, damage or destruction is a result of gross negligence on the part of the individual, then monetary liability may be assessed.

The 314th Mission Support Group commander is the official authorized to assess involuntary liability. Liability, in most cases, is limited to one month’s base pay or the actual loss, whichever is less. In certain cases, such as a fire in government housing or quarters or individual equipment, liability may be the actual amount of damage.

The commander of the owning unit is responsible for initiating the ROS by assigning an investigating official. The investigating official must be an officer, a senior NCO (E-7 or above), or a civilian employee (WG-9, WL-5, WS-1, GS-7 or above). The investigator must be a disinterested, impartial individual who has no interest or involvement in the custodianship, care, accountability, or safe keeping of the property in question.

The individual appointed should also outrank the person being investigated. If this is not possible, the unit commander must advise the approving authority in writing with the reason.

The ROS must be completed within 45 days of discovery of the loss, damage or destruction, and handcarried to the ROS program manager.

Before an ROS is initiated on lost property, ensure that a thorough search for the lost asset has been conducted. The owning unit should check with possible gaining units if the asset may have been transferred. Owning units should also check with the 314th LRS Flight Service Center or 314th Communications Squadron Equipment Control to see if the asset was turned in.
If the asset is believed to have been stolen, notify the 314th Security Forces Squadron and include a copy of the police report with the ROS.

These steps may assist in locating the lost asset and prevent the need for an ROS. If the asset still cannot be located, initiate an ROS and document which steps have been taken to locate the asset.

An ROS may also be required for an accident with a fixed or moving object with a military or government service agency vehicle whether the damage is immediately noticeable or not. A report is likely to be issued if damage is caused by willful or neglectful acts of improper operation, by not turning vehicle in for scheduled maintenance or unreported accident damage has been detected.

A guide to assist in the preparation of Department of Defense Form 200, Financial Liability Investigation of Property Loss, has been developed by the ROS program office and is located on the LRAFB web page. Additional information may also be found in Air Force manual 23-220, Reports of Survey.

If you have any questions about this program, please contact the 314th LRS ROS program manager at 987-3024.