Service members encouraged to take 2013's COLA survey Published Jan. 13, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Doyle 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Starting this month service members from all U.S. military branches, Department of Defense civilians residing off-base will be able to partake in the annual Cost of Living Allowance Survey. Although geared towards service members, civilians are also welcome to participate. The survey will collect information on how people stationed overseas use their money. Although most people who are able to take the survey have not in the past, the results of the survey will effect all service members and thier families living overseas. "The survey is of critical importance," said 2nd Lt. Ben Mathewson, 18th Comptroller Squadron Financial Services Flight commander. "The data is used to determine COLA." COLA will be calculated by a number of factors including percentage of items purchased on-base versus off-base, the exchange rate and cost of goods such as groceries and clothing. "The outcome of the COLA survey could result in an increase or decrease to COLA," said Mathewson. Due to the low number of people who participated in last year's survey, COLA decreased. This survey is an opportunity to possibly raise the COLA rate for those living in Okinawa. The survey will be availible Jan. 15 and will end Feb. 15. It can be found and completed at http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/lps-japan.cfm.