Air Force leader asks Airmen to share ideas with Defense INVEST program Published Aug. 24, 2010 Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs Report WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Air Force Under Secretary Erin Conaton urged Airmen to share their best ideas with the Defense Department's INVEST Program in an e-mail that reached all Air Force members Aug. 20, 2010. "The Air Force strongly supports the [Defense] Secretary's overall campaign for greater efficiency, and I encourage each of you to submit your ideas for consideration," said Ms. Conaton in her electronic message. The Defense INVEST Program, an initiative launched by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, debuted online Aug. 12 with a video message encouraging service members and department employees to submit ideas on ways to cut overhead costs and eliminate duplication. The contest is part of Secretary Gates' drive to save $100 billion during the next five years. This year's contest runs from Aug. 9 to Sept. 24 and rewards winners with cash prizes for submitting the best ideas for improving efficiencies within a military service or the DOD as a whole. Active-duty, Reserve and civilian personnel are eligible to contribute ideas at www.defense.gov/invest. According to the INVEST Program website, the keys to successfully taking home one of 25 cash awards are ideas that are thorough, cost effective, low risk, simple to implement, yield multi-faceted savings and have a high return on investment. DOD will announce the final 25 winners on Oct. 31, with winners receiving cash awards that range from $500 to $1,000. Ms. Conaton asked that all Air Force members "take advantage of this opportunity to offer their best ideas." More information about the Defense INVEST Program can be found online at http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2010/0710_invest/