Ideas turn into cash with AF program

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mary Davis
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Ideas are a dime a dozen, but great ideas can be worth up to $10,000 if submitted to the Air Force IDEA Program. 

The Innovative Development through Employee Awareness, or IDEA program allows Air Force members and Department of Defense civilian employees to receive cash awards for approved ideas saving time, money or improving the quality of life for Airmen, said Master Sgt. Rachel Echard, 71st Force Support Squadron Manpower Organization. 

"It's a great program that benefits the Air Force," Sergeant Echard said. "It's simple - submit an idea, and once it's accepted, you get paid." 

In the past, submissions took two or more years to approve, making it a slow and ineffective way of solving issues. Last year, an Air Force Smart Operations event focused on the IDEA Program to help make submissions easier to authorize and implement.   This was accomplished by updating Air Force Instruction 38-401, The Air Force Innovative Development Through Employee Awareness (IDEA) Program, which cut the processing time and implemented ideas much quicker. 

Ideas can be submitted easily online through the Vance Web page on the Air Force Portal, Sergeant Echard said. 

"People have 90 working days from the time they present the idea to the time they submit it," she said. "If someone submits an Air Force Form 332 to Civil Engineering to install a sidewalk, it must be submitted within 90 days of approval. If someone created an information database, they can submit it within 90 days of approval from the 71st Communications Squadron. The more beneficial the idea is for the base, major command and the Air Force, the more money an individual will receive. Also, if quality of life initiatives are accepted as IDEAs will receive up to $200 cash award for approved ideas resulting in intangible benefits." 

Deployed servicemembers can also submit ideas while away from home, and once approved, the 90-period days won't start until the day they open the acceptance e-mail at home station. 

Got a uniform idea? 

"Uniform ideas can be submitted though the program as well," Sergeant Echard said.
"You can submit these ideas on the Air Force Portal. Right now, Vance Air Force Base has two IDEAs for pending consideration." 

Although the IDEA program has been around for several years, few people use it, Sergeant Echard said. 

"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." 

For more information about the IDEA Program, call Sergeant Echard at 213-6324.