Program turns good IDEAs into cold hard cash

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Marelise Wood
  • 352nd Special Operations Group Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Tech. Sgt. Todd Scheve, 352nd Special Operations Group Information Management, had an idea. But it wasn't just any idea - it was a money-saving, money-making idea. 

The Air Force's Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program, commonly known as the IDEA program, is an incentive program that rewards submitters for their approved ideas that benefit the government. Anyone can submit an idea, but active-duty members, reservists, appropriated fund employees or local national direct hire employees are eligible for monetary rewards. 

"I began submitting proposals to the IDEA program in December 2008," said the NCOIC of Special Projects. "My IDEA submissions were completely outside of my Air Force Specialty Code. I fully expected to be referred somewhere else or be dismissed, but I was pleasantly surprised." 

According to Emma Syer, 100th Force Support Squadron IDEA program coordinator, approved ideas yield quite the payout for people who submit them. 

"Your idea can be within or outside your job responsibility and you can potentially earn yourself $200 to $10,000, just like Sergeant Scheve did," she said. "I think the IDEA program is a fantastic way to make a difference by simply showing us a better way." 

Sergeant Scheve has submitted seven ideas. Three were approved to the tune of $200 per idea. But it's not about the money for this sergeant. He's just happy making a difference in people's lives. 

"If you have preconceptions about who can and should participate in the IDEA program, you are in for a shock," he said. "I can personally attest no idea gets lost in the cracks." 

Ms. Syer said the program offers opportunities for people to participate in the decision-making processes that affect day-to-day operations, and she encourages everyone to participate in the program. 

Editor's note: Anyone interested in submitting an idea, can visit https://ipds.csd.disa.mil or call DSN 238-IDEA (4332).