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FROM THE FIELD

Soto Cano Air Base Leads Army’s Transition

from EagleCash Program by 1LT William E. Leary

Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras – As the U.S. Army prepares to sunset the EagleCash Stored Value

Card Program by the end of Fiscal Year 2025, finance offices across the force evaluate new
systems to meet operational needs. The finance team at Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras is at the
forefront of this transition, serving as the Army’s first test site. This strategic decision follows a

92% drop in EagleCash usage since 2010, prompting a careful evaluation of the program's
effectiveness, cost, and relevance in today’s technological landscape.

EagleCash has long been a cornerstone for providing Soldiers in deployed environments with
safer, faster access to funds. The system allowed users to connect their bank accounts to a chip
card, reducing the need for physical cash in combat zones and austere locations where traditional
banking was not available. However, financial technology has evolved significantly. Soldiers now
rely on chip-enabled credit cards, contactless payments, and mobile banking in garrison—and they
expect similar capabilities when deployed. Modern payment technologies offer enhanced security,
fraud protection, and ease of use, rendering EagleCash less necessary.

“The decline in EagleCash usage reflects how far financial technology has come,” said Chad
Samsel, EagleCash Program Manager. “Soldiers now use chip-enabled debit/credit cards,
contactless payments, and mobile banking in garrison, and they’re accustomed to the convenience
and security these tools provide. Our focus now is on adopting minimal-equipment solutions that
cut costs while boosting security and flexibility to meet those expectations in deployed
environments.”

Soto Cano was selected as the most practical location to begin the phase-out due to its existing
infrastructure and operational tempo. From May 19 to May 23, Mr. Samsel and his team visited the
installation to oversee the initial phase of equipment retrograde, removing EagleCash hardware for
return to the Federal Reserve Bank. During the visit, they engaged directly with vendors and
service members to explain the transition and outline options, ensuring a seamless shift. This
phased retrograde, which started at Soto Cano, will continue across other locations to meet the FY
2025 deadline.

The Soto Cano finance office is uniquely positioned as the only Army site managing its ATMs,
owned by Community Bank and supported by Navy Federal Credit Union. The finance team
maintains and restocks these machines, ensuring service members have reliable access to cash
for meals, personal needs, and on-base services. As the Army transitions, dining facilities will shift
to debit/credit card payments and CAC scanning; the Army and Air Force Exchange Service
(AAFES) will leverage commercial point-of-sale (POS) systems, and Postal Services will advance to
Click-n-Ship platforms. “Our goal is to ensure soldiers don’t feel the impact of this change,” said
1LT William Leary, Deputy Disbursing Officer. “The systems may shift behind the scenes, but the
support will remain the same.”

Service members at Soto Cano have expressed enthusiasm for the transition. “Honestly, I look
forward to being able to use my credit card at more locations on base,” said SPC Romario Baker, a
Soldier with JTF-Bravo. “This transition streamlines the process, and I believe it will ultimately
benefit everyone by reducing wait times, minimizing confusion, and expanding available options.”

The finance team is developing standard operating procedures and sharing lessons learned with
higher headquarters to guide future transitions at other locations. This strategy aligns with the
Army’s commitment to leveraging modern payment technologies that prioritize security, flexibility,

and cost-effectiveness while maintaining robust operational capabilities, even in austere
environments. 13

The move away from the equipment-heavy EagleCash program toward mobile applications and