You can change the Air Force with one IDEA

  • Published
  • By Joe B. Wiles
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Since last October, Air Force members world-wide have earned $1.3 million in cash awards for ideas that make the Air Force work better. Almost half of the 5,542 ideas submitted through the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness (IDEA) program were approved, saving the Air Force more than $55 million. 

"I believe there are potential suggestions for the IDEA program at Vance," said Master Sgt. Rachel Echard, the Vance IDEA program manager. She recommends looking for IDEA submissions in quality of life and safety improvements. "The minimum reward for an adopted idea is $200," she said. 

The IDEA program rewards suggestors with 15 percent of the money saved during the first year the idea is adopted. Reward checks can be as large as $10,000. 

"People need to take advantage of this program," she said. "Everyone knows there are better ways of doing business. You can change the Air Force with one idea." 

Whether it is something you do every day in the course of your job, or something you only encounter occasionally, looking at a procedure or product with new eyes can reveal possible improvements that may have been overlooked in the past, said Sergeant Echard. 

"Most adopted suggestions tend to come from the maintenance world, and that is contracted here," Sergeant Echard added. "Contractors can submit ideas, but they must benefit the Air Force, not just the contractor. And when they have a qualified idea, unfortunately we can't give them money," she said. 

The IDEA program was formerly known as the Suggestion program. It still works much the same way. "When you see a change that can improve the Air Force either tangibly or intangibly, submit your idea through the IDEA site accessible through the Air Force Portal or https://ipds.csd.disa.mil," said Sergeant Echard. 

"The new slogan for the program is 'Improving tomorrow's Air Force with today's ideas'," she said. For more information on the IDEA program call Sergeant Echard, 213-6324.