COLA survey coming, results affect Team Kadena

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tara A. Williamson
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Beginning May 1, service members from all U.S. military branches will be able to participate in a Cost of Living Allowance survey.

Approximately 250,000 service members at more than 600 overseas U.S. military bases are affected by this survey.

"All service members are encouraged to take the survey, even those living in the dorms," said 2nd Lt. Gordon Randall, 18th Comptroller Squadron Financial Services Flight commander.

Service members have a direct impact on the amount of overseas COLA given by their participation in the survey.

"The point of this survey is to determine where people shop off-base, places like Jusko, and compare the prices to the Exchange and use that to help adjust the COLA," Randall said.

Overall, where service members shop, what percentage of goods they purchase at those locations, and the prices of approximately 120 goods and services from both on and off-base will play a factor in the COLA rate. Changes to the COLA rate will take affect beginning in September.