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API - making a more efficient Air Force

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  • By 20th Force Support Squadron
The Air Force has always encouraged Airmen to share innovative ideas with their leaders as a way of fostering a work environment that inspires on adapting and overcoming challenges.

One way top leaders in the Air Force are bolstering these efforts is through the Airmen Powered by Innovation program. Launched May 1 with the Every Dollar Counts Campaign, API consolidates four of the Air Force's previous ideas generating programs.

These programs became ineffective and the utilization rates dropped dramatically starting in 2005.

"Indecently, 2005 was the last year Shaw AFB had a $10,000 payout to an Airmen," said Patrick Martin, 20th Force Support Squadron manpower and organization chief.

In this age of severe fiscal pressures, a fresh way to capture new ideas to garner savings was needed.

The four previous programs include the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program, Productivity Enhancing Capital Investment program, Best Practices and the Air Force Smart Operations for the Twenty-First Century program.

Similar to the IDEA program, under the API program ideas may be submitted by individuals, units and organizations at all levels to include active duty, civilians, contractors and members of the Air Force Reserve in Title 10 status, said Martin.

In accordance with AFGM2014-38-01, "submitters are encouraged to utilize local AFSO 21 experts prior to submitting an idea to ensure the current method, proposed method, and expected results are clearly defined."

"There are two major differences between the IDEA and API program," said Martin. "Under the API program; first, the wing commander is the process owner and has final approving authority on ideas, and second, all local ideas approved for implementation must be implemented within 60 days."

What remains the same are monetary awards for approved ideas are limited only to active duty Air Force members and appropriated funded civilian employees. Tangible benefits will remain basically the same from the IDEA program and intangible benefits now range from $25 to $10,000 according to AFGM 2014-38-1.

For more information or to submit an idea, visit http://ipds.afpc.randolph.af.mil/ipds/ or call Martin, at (803) 895-1082.