What would be the best way for the DoD to solicit your good ideas?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 21:59:32 -0500

I often have "good ideas" about how to improve processes or services around the DoD to streamline, or make them more useful, etc.  I'm sure from reading a few of the threads that many of you do too... What would be the best way for the DoD to solicit your good ideas in this time of fiscal uncertainty? (e.g. suggestion boxes, email surveys, website, etc.)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2013 10:11 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 22:11:55 -0500

A few years ago they had a dod site for exactly this. I don't know if they even read them.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2013 10:50 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 22:50:14 -0500

Ohh no you don't! I refuse to be part of the "they" that keep changing the Army, and feeding Eval Report Bullets for people who have no idea what they are proposing.

Nice try Sarge, but no dice.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2013 11:29 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 23:29:07 -0500

I know the Army has the Family Action Plan conferences and suggestions, which have actually made some positive impacts (such as allowing Soldiers to pack their Wine collection in their Household Goods like the Navy could.) But I think there's only a small window of time once a year to submit issues and ideas, so you have to remember them all year...

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Dec 7 at 2013 11:30 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 23:30:13 -0500

It's called the Army Suggestion Program. I suggested the try another approach.

Response by SFC Stephen Hester made Dec 7 at 2013 11:47 PM

SFC Stephen Hester — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 23:47:25 -0500

Whenever we open the lid so that we can think outside the box we let the "good idea fairy" in...

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Dec 8 at 2013 1:15 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 01:15:00 -0500

The best way, as it always has been, is to get your idea published. Submit an article worthy essay to a military publication appropriate for the idea, i.e. Fires Bulletin, American Intelligence Journal etc. Next best is to find an on-line journal that is subscribed to equally as well and publish there. Failing that, build a network and self-publish on your own blog... Keep in mind, you will be putting yourself out there with your Course of Action Analysis, implementation cost analysis, determination of secondary and tertiary effects of adopting (or failing to adopt) your idea. Since most official military journals are rigorously peer reviewed, you are likely to only be embarrassed when your shortcomings are called by the few who review, unlike what happens when you publish on the internet. Still, feedback is critical to growth, and throwing your idea out there for everyone to see at once, is a damn good way to receive an education.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2013 1:31 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 13:31:39 -0500

So, what I was TRYING to ask, is how would YOU like to submit YOUR "good ideas" to the Military... whether they are ways to save money, improve efficiency, or whatever...