Ideas save AF money, award Airmen for efforts

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mona Ferrell
  • 347th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  It saves money, time and possibly lives. Proper utilization of it not only benefits the Air Force, but can also put cash in Airmen's pockets - "It" is the IDEA program. 

The Innovative Development through Employee Awareness, or IDEA program, rewards submitters for approved suggestions based on their potential to save the Air Force man-hours, money or resources, said Staff Sgt. Amanda Jones, Moody's IDEA Program manager. 

"Essentially, the program serves to reward participants for making the Air Force more efficient," Sergeant Jones said. "Our ultimate goal is to see the military working better, faster and cheaper." 

This goal is becoming more important as the Air Force continues to downsize. 

"The Air Force directly reaps the benefits of the program, because the approved suggestions allow us, as a whole, to operate more efficiently," she said. "During a time where cuts in the budget and man-power positions are plentiful, improved effectiveness is key." 

And, with improved efficiency comes cold, hard cash for the submitter of the idea.
 
If the submitter is able to establish monetary savings and the idea is approved, they could receive a cash award of up to $10,000, said Sergeant Jones. A flat rate of $200 is awarded for every approved submission considered a process improvement, regardless of the overall savings determined by the Air Force. 

"The actual award amount is based on the first year of monetary savings, but it's important to remember it is not necessary to have a 'big-money' idea to benefit from the program," she said. "The majority of the ideas that come through my office have intangible benefits and receive a $200 award, but those same people are submitting ideas and receiving cash awards over and over again." 

Tech. Sgt. Tim Debeaux, an HH-60G Pave Hawk maintenance instructor here with the 373rd Field Training Det. 17, is one such individual. Within the last year and a half, Sergeant Debeaux had 11 suggestions approved under the IDEA program. 

Making suggestions to improve the technical orders the Air Force uses is something that goes along with being a good Airman, said Sergeant Debeaux. 

"I submit ideas because I feel we have a responsibility to follow correct data," he said. "There's nothing worse than trying to teach a class with incorrect information." 

Improving processes today also saves man hours in the future, he said. 

"If you see something that's being done wrong, no matter what it is, it's worth submitting the idea to change the processes and make it better," said the sergeant, who's had approximately 20 suggestions approved within his Air Force career. "Submitting an idea might take 30 minutes out of your day today, but it could save you hours of work further down the road when you have less people." 

Simplicity is key to the program, said Don Benton, an Air Force Engineering Technical Services advisor for C-130 maintenance personnel. 

"It's just so easy to submit an idea or change technical order data through the AFTO 22 process," said Mr. Benton, who has had four suggestions approved so far this year. "We're constantly seeing problems that need to be fixed. But, because people have the misconception that submitting an idea takes too long, or is a big task, they don't take the time to do it." 

Submissions to the program are done via the IDEA Program Data System located at https://ipds.mont.disa.mil/ipdswarn. html. Everyone who has access to a .mil computer is able to participate, however there are limitations for submitters who are not active duty military, appropriated fund civilians, Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard members. 

Accessing the Web site is also a good way to see what types of improvements other people have been awarded money for, said Tim Martin, AFETS advisor for C-130 maintenance personnel. 

"The IDEA program is not just about TO improvements," said Mr. Martin, who has had three ideas approved this year. "I saw on the Web site that somebody got an idea approved for suggesting a street light be placed in a certain area. 

"Anybody can access the IDEA program website, and can see improvements other people have been awarded for," he continued. "If you complain about something, think about a way to improve it. If it's worth complaining about, it's worth changing." 

The IDEA program helps the individual, unit and Air Force, said Sergeant Jones. 

"As an organization we're looking for ways to save money and work more efficiently," said Sergeant Jones. "Through the IDEA program, people have the opportunity to improve the Air Force and how we do business. The bottom line is we need to do more with less, so why not get paid for it."