Get paid for your IDEA Published April 24, 2013 By Senior Airman Robert Hicks 36th Wing Public Affairs ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- While the Air Force budget is in the works, now is the time for Team Andersen to step up and submit ideas to the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program to save the Air Force money while pocketing up to $10,000. IDEA is an Air Force incentive program that encourages creative thinking and rewards individuals whose ideas improve the efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of the Air Force, Department of Defense and federal government operations. During fiscal 2012 there were 5,026 ideas submitted, and 1,643 were approved, saving the Air Force an estimated $45.6 million, with $863,000 of awards paid out to submitters. Tech. Sgt. Jessica Baldwin, 36th Wing IDEA program manager, explains the program to Andersen units and how Airmen can submit an idea to improve a process and/or save resources. Another submission could be to initiate a process change that is governed by a directive, for example a change to a technical order to add or delete a step, where as the contributor will receive an award of $200. "The IDEA program benefits Andersen by doing things more efficiently; the money that is saved doesn't stay within Andersen's budget, but it does go back in the Air Force budget to be reallocated elsewhere," Baldwin said. If a person has an idea that is within their job responsibility and saves the Air Force at least $20,000 in its first year, a monetary award is given. Depending on how much money is saved within that year, the reward could range from $600 to $10,000. If an idea is outside of the submitters job responsibility, for example, an idea to improve the base by installing a stop sign or light to reduce safety incidents, it may be approved and an award would be given. Eligible ideas must be the submitter's own thought, or a new application of an old principle, and be submitted with the intent to benefit the Air Force. Applicants must explain the proposed method by stating the problem with the current method, why it should be changed and show how the new idea is beneficial to the Air Force. "Due to our Joint Region construct, we highly encourage all idea submissions. I'm happy to assist with the processing, whether through the Air Force or Navy program, it's a win/win for everyone." Baldwin said. "Because of how tight our budget is right now, the IDEA program is more important than it has been in the past. Even if we're able to save the Air Force a small amount of money it could be crucial to the Air Force mission." To submit an idea, click here. Once on the website, review the IDEA Pool to ensure the idea has not been submitted by someone else. If the idea has not been mentioned, contact your unit IDEA representative or the Andersen IDEA program manager at 366-8156 or jessica.baldwin.1@us.af.mil for assistance in developing a thorough and complete idea that has the best chance of being accepted at the Air Force level.