FORT STEWART, Ga. - This is another in a series of articles about how the garrison receives funding from our Army leadership and how that funding is spent in support of our 24,000 Soldiers and 32,000 Family Members.

This article focuses on the difference between Appropriated Funds and Non Appropriated Funds, and how the two funding sources apply to the operations of the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield.

Appropriated funds are approved by Congress for a specific purpose and cannot be used for any other purpose. Non-appropriated funds are dollars generated at the installation. Although generated at the installation, NAF is governed by a regulation and cannot be used for purposes that are not a part of the Army's essential mission in defense of our nation. The Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Fort Stewart carries out its mission, for the most part, with non-appropriated funds.

Three categories, labeled A, B and C, spell out how Family and MWR can spend its dollars. Dollars spent by Family and MWR sometimes are solely from appropriated funds (Category A), sometimes are solely non-appropriated funds (Category C), and sometimes are a mixture of both (Category B).

Here, at a glance, are the three funding categories:

Category A: Mission-sustaining programs are considered essential to sustaining, enhancing readiness and are not required to pay for themselves. The Newman and Tominac Fitness Centers fall under this category, as does the George P. Hays Library. Programs such as these are funded with appropriated funds and need not produce revenue. However, these programs do have to operate within their appropriated fund budget.

Category B: Community support programs are closely related, in terms of supporting the military mission, to Category A programs. They enhance the lives of the Soldiers and their Families living here. Examples are Auto Crafts, recreation and child care. These programs can generate limited revenue but could not be sustained without appropriated funds support.

Category C: Revenue-generating programs are those that offer desirable social and recreational opportunities but have less impact on readiness. Examples are bowling, golf and clubs. These programs are expected to generate their income to cover operating expenses.

Army Community Service is fully funded with appropriated dollars and does not fall under any of the three categories.

Dollars generated at the installation are reinvested into Family and MWR programs and facilities. The support of Soldiers and their Families for on-post Family and MWR leisure and recreational activities and programs, is crucial.

Family and MWR must charge fees to maintain our programs and facilities. We are doing our best to keep our prices as low as possible during a time when budgets are very constrained.

Facilities such as Holbrook Pond Recreation Area and the Corkan Family Recreation Area - which includes a miniature golf course, indoor playground, skating rink, spray park - are made possible with non-appropriated funds. Support from our Soldiers and their Families helped make this possible.

Soldier-generated dollars directly support programs and activities where they live, work and play, here on Fort Stewart. We want to deliver outstanding services and program at affordable prices and still maintain a fiscally responsible posture.

Next week: How NAF dollars are being reinvested in Family and MWR facilities and programs.