Volunteers shop for COLA

Twenty Team Ramstein volunteers visited stores on and off base Nov. 3 to 8 to collect current prices of commonly purchased goods and services as part of a survey that could result in a little more money in their pockets.

The Retail Price Schedule is an annual survey that is part of the process used to determine the Cost of Living Allowance — a monthly allowance paid to servicemembers to partially offset high costs while stationed overseas.

“Based on the data we collect, we will see either an increase or a decrease in COLA,” said Tech. Sgt. Danielle Brown, 68th Comptroller Squadron Financial Customer Service non-commissioned officer in charge. “This survey covers everything from the typical items you would find in a grocery store to clothing, car services, movie theaters and child care.”

The process to determine COLA rates begins with the Web based Living Pattern Survey, where servicemembers have the opportunity to share which local stores they shop in and how much, in comparison, they buy from the local economy versus the commissary and base exchange. For example, the LPS, which is done every three years, may show that on average servicemembers in that area typically buy half their goods in local stores using euro and half on base using dollars.

This is then followed up with the RPS, which is used to determine the actual current cost of goods and services in the local area and how those prices compare to the average cost in the US. The difference determines if and how much COLA will be paid to servicemembers. The volunteers priced approximately 120 select goods and services an average American military family would buy. For purposes of this survey, the average family consists of an E-6 or O-3 with three dependents. Their findings were then forwarded to the Defense Travel Management Office Allowances Branch for analysis.

“I volunteered because I think it’s a good idea,” said Master Sgt. Joseph Carter, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Transportation Division Airlift Clearance Authority superintendent. “COLA is very important. I have two children, one of them still in diapers, so it does help.  Without it, my family and I would most likely do all of our shopping on base only. Hopefully it’ll benefit all the servicemembers in the KMC.” 

For more information about COLA, visit www.defensetravel.dod.mil/
perdiem/faqcola.html.