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People often come up with ideas based on experience or out of curiosity. Some ideas even blossom into something huge. Many things wouldn’t have been made possible if it weren’t for someone’s idea.
The Air Force recognizes the fact that Airmen have the capability to come up with creative ideas that can be incorporated into saving money.
Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry Spencer launched the Every Dollar Counts campaign April 15.
“When things get tough, Airmen figure out a way to get it done,” Spencer said. “We have some of the most innovative folks in the world, so I know there are ideas about how we can do things better.”
There are two parts to the campaign that will assist in making it successful.
First, Airmen, units and central fund managers are asked to review programs and processes to identify what isn’t needed. Second, is the launch of “Airmen Powered by Innovation,” made accessible through Air Force Portal and Air Force public website.
The website is a monthlong surge, from May 1 through June 1, allowing total force Airmen, uniformed and civilian, to submit their ideas.
“‘Airmen Powered by Innovation’ means go into that file of good ideas that were maybe ‘too hard to do,’ pull them out and submit them,” Spencer said. “If it’s a good idea and requires an Air Force Instruction change, then we’ll see if we can do that.”
The civilian workforce is facing furloughs and flying units are being grounded due to lack of flying hours — effects of sequestration. The savings produced through the Every Dollar Counts campaign will be used to fund readiness priorities like more flying hours and getting aircraft into depots for repairs.
“A wise man once told me, ‘No one has a monopoly on a good idea.’ In fact, our youngest folks often have a fresh approach to processes we’ve done inefficiently for years,” said Master Sgt. Amanda Callahan, 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs NCOIC of operations. “Rank doesn’t matter; anyone who has a smarter way of doing things should submit ideas.”
The changes being made aren’t temporary. They are permanent changes that are going to save the Air Force money for years to come.
“Innovation is what we’re all about,” Spencer said. “This is our family and we’re going to get through this, because we’ve got great Airmen to help see us through this.”
Another way ideas can be submitted is by directly emailing the USAFE-AFAFRICA Business Transformation Office. For unclassified suggestions, send emails to usafebto.bto@us.af.mil. For classified ideas, send them on the SIPRNet to usafe.bto@ramstein.af.smil.mil.
