With the government shutdown now in its fourth week, National Guard units nationwide have had to cancel weekend training sessions, regular drills, and many personnel are working without pay.
According to officials, only those units gearing up for mobilization or handling mission-critical tasks are still conducting training. Other programs have been postponed, resulting in thousands of National Guard members being temporarily inactive and unpaid, which is impacting overall readiness.
“It’s certainly not good. This is a crucial safety net,” said Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colorado, when asked about the suspended exercises. “That’s not the only issue at stake. You could list 25 reasons for why we need to get the government back open today, right?”
However, Hickenlooper and the majority of Senate Democrats have voted against bipartisan funding measures approved by the House to end the shutdown—an action that they’ve taken 11 times. Colorado Democrats will have another opportunity later today to act on emergency measures aimed at reopening the government and reinstating normal operations for the National Guard.
Guardsmen indicate that this shutdown is particularly challenging for those who have not received pay during October, unless they are on active duty. There are growing concerns about how prolonged closure might affect preparedness.
Retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn, president of the U.S. National Guard Association, stated that “some people are still expected to work, but they’re underpaid.” He added that while several have been furloughed, their duties have increased, which has reduced the Guard’s ability to respond effectively. Many are feeling dissatisfied, and quite a few are concerned about meeting their financial obligations.
In Mississippi, training is limited to units preparing for deployment, while all other units have paused their weekend training and missions, according to Maj. Heather Bennett, director of public affairs for the Mississippi National Guard. Civilian employees not engaged in critical operations have been furloughed as well, leaving all Guard members without pay until funding is restored.
“Currently, there’s no direction on when to expect a return to normal operations until a budget is approved,” Bennett remarked.
The Connecticut National Guard similarly noted that “routine training events, temporary missions, and weekend activities not essential for safety or property protection have been canceled or delayed.” Their public relations manager mentioned that while soldiers remain on regular duty, their compensation will not be restored until appropriations are reinstated.
The Nevada Army Guard has canceled all training for October. Anticipating the shutdown, about 5,500 employees and guards in Nevada are now affected by the closure, according to Capt. Emerson Marcus, a spokesman for the Nevada National Guard.
Guardsmen from states like Illinois, Maine, Georgia, and South Carolina have also expressed that operations have been disrupted due to the shutdown.
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., emphasized to DCNF that “it’s crucial for military units to train,” yet indicated that it seems unlikely that Democrats will alter their strategy to resolve the shutdown. He attributed the standoff to actions taken by President Trump.
“There’s a path to get funding, and it requires the president to engage in negotiations with us over healthcare costs for personnel,” Kelly asserted. “As far as I know, his efforts were limited to just an hour on this matter, which simply isn’t enough.”
Republican lawmakers have criticized Senate Democrats for maintaining the shutdown amid rising financial pressures on military personnel and potential effects on military arsenals.
“Your decision has halted advanced training and significantly lowered readiness and effectiveness,” stated Republican Texas Rep. August Pflueger along with 27 others in their communication. “Is that really your goal?”
When asked about when the suspension of National Guard drills might become a national security issue, Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, responded, “We’ll need to consult the Democrats on that. I’m voting to reopen things. The Democrats, however, are opting to keep everything shut.”
