(Nexstar) – During government shutdowns, most federal workers typically don’t receive a paycheck, and that includes roles like TSA officers and air traffic controllers who are still on duty.
But what about military personnel? Are Active Duty Officers compensated for their essential services?
Unfortunately, the answer is no—not right away, at least.
“We don’t have a budget to fund our payroll during this period,” according to a report on military funding issues.
The Department of Defense’s Contingency Planning Document indicates that over 2 million active military members are fulfilling their duties, with roughly 741,477 civilian employees in the mix. Out of those, nearly 335,000 are under review, and only about 182,000 will continue to receive pay because their compensation doesn’t rely on the annual budget.
All military personnel who aren’t being paid are owed retroactive compensation once the government resumes funding. However, some service members and their families might face financial challenges in the interim.
During past military actions, several family support and childcare services at military bases have temporarily closed, impacting many families. According to reports, requests for food assistance from military families have surged significantly during this time.
Service members are encouraged to consult their superiors about other available support programs. Institutions like the Army Emergency Relief and credit unions, including Navy Federal Credit Union, may provide interest-free loans until retroactive pay starts rolling in.
There have been instances in the past where the federal government took steps to ensure that military members continued to receive salaries during shutdowns. For instance, in September 2013, President Obama signed a law to guarantee pay for service members during a brief government closure. Similar actions were also taken by President Trump before the 2018 shutdown, although that act did not guarantee pay for Coast Guard personnel, which drew criticism at the time.
Regardless of the funding challenges, the military is expected to maintain its operations. A recent Defense Department document states, “The department will continue to defend the country and carry out ongoing military operations,” noting that it will provide essential services funded through available resources necessary for safeguarding lives and property.
