Survey to help determine Cost of Living Allowance Published Feb. 29, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Christopher Marasky 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Service members with dependants assigned to Okinawa longer than three months will be required to participate in a Living Pattern Survey in March to determine if people need more or less Cost of Living Allowance in their paychecks. The LPS is sponsored by the Per Diem Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee and will determine the shopping patterns of service members and their dependants which directly affect how the COLA is calculated. "The Living Pattern Survey is one of the 'building blocks' of COLA," said Lt. Col. Stephen Kennedy, 18th Comptroller Squadron commander. "The results of this survey will have a direct impact on how much COLA we receive in our paycheck." All service members eligible to take the survey are encouraged to have family members participate, as maximum participation will provide the data needed to determine future COLA rates. The survey will be available online in a number of ways, as commanders and superintendents will have the link available to provide to members who need it. The link will also be made available at www.kadenaservices.com. Before beginning the survey each participant will need to create a six character "ticket number" and be able to identify the locality code for Okinawa as JA027. The ticket number will be created by using the service member's first and last initials along with the last four digits of their social security number. "I recommend that base personnel jump online and take the LPS survey as soon as it opens on the website," said 2nd Lt. Joshua Iachini, 18th CPTS deputy financial services officer. "The Operational Readiness Inspection in mid March is going to be a stressful time for base personnel, along with family members at home. Get it done early so you can forget about it and put forth 100 percent effort during the inspection." This survey is completed once every three years and has a major impact on COLA for those stationed here on Okinawa, and members can see the results in their pay in as little time as a month after the surveys are completed, according to Colonel Kennedy. Colonel Kennedy also asks all survey participants to make sure they take their time and ensure the accuracy of their information. "Take the time to do the survey, follow the directions closely, and be thorough and accurate," said Colonel Kennedy. "Based on current economic conditions and our COLA in relation to other areas in Japan, Okinawa is ripe for a significant COLA increase, but it won't happen without the participation of our service members. "So do yourself a favor and complete the surveys," he said.