ALCOAST 002/24 - JAN 2024 2024 CONTINENTAL U.S. (CONUS) LIVING PATTERN SURVEY (LPS)

R 021412Z JAN 24 MID120000782186U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 002/24
SSIC 7220
SUBJ: 2024 CONTINENTAL U.S. (CONUS) LIVING PATTERN SURVEY (LPS)
1. This ALCOAST announces the 2024 CONUS LPS, which will be
conducted on behalf of the Department of Defense (DoD)
from 02 JAN through 31 MAR 2024. The web-based survey will be
open to all active duty Service members (including Reserve members
on long-term active duty) and their families currently assigned to
CONUS and who have been at their duty station for at least three
(3) months. The LPS is specific to uniformed servicemembers and is
not open to civilian employees.
2. DoD establishes annual CONUS Cost of Living Allowance (COLA)
rates for the Uniformed Services, and the triennial LPS is the
first step in the annual COLA rate-setting process. The survey
collects data on shopping patterns of Uniformed Service members and
their families for non-housing goods & services. Survey responses
are compiled to determine utilization rates for military commissary
and exchange facilities, and to assess members' on-base and online
shopping for the COLA market basket. This data is also used in the
computation of Overseas and CONUS COLA rates.
3. Participation in this survey is voluntary; however, maximum
participation is strongly encouraged. The most recent LPS, completed
in 2021, had a Coast Guard response rate of 17% and an overall
response rate of 6%. Such low participation means that the
shopping patterns of the few are influencing COLA rates for
everyone. We can and should do better! Service member feedback is
critical in ensuring that DoD has accurate data necessary to compute
COLA rates for the next three calendar years (2025 through 2027).
4. This is an opportunity for the CONUS military community at-large
to participate in the COLA process. The survey takes approximately
fifteen (15) minutes to complete and only one survey per household
should be completed by the primary shopper. However, in cases where
members are residing separately from their dependents, the member at
a CONUS PDS or homeport can submit a survey on their own behalf as a
member without dependents. Spouses of members who reside at a
designated place in CONUS that is not in the vicinity of the
member's CONUS PDS may also submit a survey.
5. Members will be asked to select which goods and services they
regularly purchase at local stores and the percentage of shopping
they conduct at on-base facilities (commissaries & exchanges – if
available) and online.
6. Individual responses will be treated as confidential. Only group
statistics will be reported.
7. Commanding Officers and Officers-in-Charge of CONUS units should
discuss the importance of the CONUS LPS with their crews and
facilitate maximum participation. LPS participation while on duty
(if operations permit) is authorized.
8. A Common Access Card or government computer is not required to
access the survey. Members and their families may access the survey
at the following link:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/CONUS-Cost-of-Living-
Allowance/Living-Pattern-Survey/

9. Questions regarding the CONUS LPS should be directed to
COMDT (CG-1M12) via Email at: COMPENSATION@USCG.MIL.
10. RADM M.W. Raymond, Assistant Commandant for Military Personnel
(CG-1M), sends.
11. Internet release is authorized.