GUIDELINES TO NRDC feb 24 2014

Packaging, ContinuedBefore and afterBefore7-12. IntroductionWhen Government property is lost, damaged, ordestroyed and no other credit method isappropriate, relief from responsibility for theloss may be obtained by explaining thecircumstances surrounding the loss,damage, or destruction to the satisfaction of theSecretary of the Army or his designatedrepresentative. This explanation ordinarilytakes the form of a report of survey, whichconstitutes the most important credit instrumentin the Army supplysystem. The report of survey system insuresthat appropriate investigation is made and thateach report of survey is reviewed objectively ata suitable level.7-13 PurposeThe report of survey is an instrument toexplain and record the circumstancessurrounding the loss,damage, or destruction of property so thatresponsibility can be determined and to serve asa credit document to justify dropping propertyfrom theproperty book officer's account. Theoretically,the explanation on the report is made to theSecretary of the Army. However, authority forfinal approval has been delegated to lowerlevels, usually the installation commander or thereviewing authority. The report isparticularly useful because it provides fordetailed investigation, collection of allinformation regarding the case in a singlereport, and review of findings andrecommendations. Installation commanders,reviewing authorities, and the Chief of Financeand Accounting (Office of the Comptroller ofthe Army) represent the levels authorized totake final action on reports of survey. Thelevel at which final action istaken varies with different reports, dependingon the nature of the loss, damage ordestruction, persons involved, and dollaramount involved.This is a before-and-after excerpt from an old Army regulation.The original is passive, dense, and difficult to comprehend. Therevision is much easier to read; it's written in the active voiceand is packaged to give it white space and visual appeal.AfterIntroductionReport of survey (DD Form 200) is themost important credit method in the Armysupply system. Use it to record whathappened to lost, damaged, or destroyedGovernment property. The property-bookofficer can then take the item off theproperty account.PurposeUse report of survey to--x Record details of investigation of loss.x Collect all information about the casein a single report.x Review findings and recommendations.x Take lost item off property book.What level takes finalaction: These levels may takefinal action: x Installationcommander.xxReviewing authorities.Chief of Finance and Accounting(Office of the Comptroller of theArmy).Level depends on--x Nature of the loss.x Person involved.x Amount of money involved.NRDC GRC – Staff Handbook 7-14