COLA survey means more money for Airmen in Turkey

  • Published
  • By Capt. Rose Richeson
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The Military Advisory Panel convened May 8 and emerged with good financial news that will be reflected in the June Cost of Living Allowance for active duty residents assigned to bases in Turkey.

A total of 671 Team Incirlik members completed an online Living Pattern Survey in January proving instrumental in influencing the COLA entitlement for Turkey. The survey focused on which local economy outlets Airmen here use when shopping for food items, clothing and many other goods and services, such as entertainment, hair care, and auto repair.

The difference in COLA was affected by two variables: the purchasing power of the dollar when compared to the Turkish Lira and a market basket of goods equivalent to products purchased in the U.S., according to Capt. Chris Collins, 39th Comptroller Squadron Financial Services officer.

"Basically, we tracked how much shopping is done on the local economy, and how much is done at the Commissary, Base Exchange or on the Internet in order to offset any added overseas costs on a specified market basket of goods," he said.

The survey results were then provided to the Department of Defense Per Diem Committee in Washington, D.C., where they are computed into a Cost of Living index reflecting the difference.

COLA varies depending on rank, location, number of dependents, time in service, Cost of Living index and currency exchange rate, according to Captain Collins.

For example: a staff sergeant with six years of service and three dependents previously received approximately $50 per month. Post survey, the same sergeant is receiving a COLA three times the previous amount at approximately $155 per month.
Small variations in the COLA, which is reevaluated every two weeks, may occur in the future due to fluctuations in the currency exchange rate.

A helpful tool is now available for people interested in checking COLA rates on a daily basis in order to pre-plan their budget. Incirlik members can logon to https://secureapp2.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/ocform.html to view their pro-rated COLA. You can search your personal rate by using the drop-down boxes and filling in the Location Name (Turkey, Incirlik AB, TU001) or Locality Code (TU001) for Incirlik Air Base. Locality Codes for other locations throughout Turkey are TU003 for Ankara, TU005 for Istanbul, TU007 for Izmir and TU999 for all other locations.