"DOD: No troop pay, civilians could be furloughed if government shuts down"

2015-09-25T13:32:37-04:00

From: Stars and Stripes

WASHINGTON – Troops will not get paychecks and Defense Department civilians could be furloughed if Congress fails to pass a new federal budget and the government shuts down Thursday, according to a DOD memo sent out to personnel.

The department was still holding out hope for a solution on Capitol Hill, according to the Friday memo from Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work. However, if lawmakers do not act by midnight Wednesday, the fallout could be similar to the last government shutdown in 2013, which caused turmoil and temporarily forced about 350,000 Pentagon workers on leave without pay.

“During a government shutdown, all military personnel would continue in a normal duty status. However, they would not be paid until Congress provides funding,” Work wrote.

The DOD has updated its plans to determine which civilians will continue reporting to work and which will be furloughed, he wrote. The letter did not provide any additional details.

“As we saw in 2013, should a shutdown occur, and depending on the length of the shutdown, these determinations may change over time as circumstances evolve,” Work wrote.

The last time the government shut down for more than two weeks – over attempts to defund Obamacare -- about 800,000 federal workers were placed on furlough. But the DOD was able to bring its civilians back to work after about a week.

Troops and personnel were to be contacted by their chains of command with more details on the shutdown plans.

The clock was ticking on Capitol Hill on Friday with a glimmer of hope for a budget deal in the Senate early next week following a fight over defunding Planned Parenthood, but there was major political upheaval in the House with the announced resignation of Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.

Senators rejected a temporary Republican budget Thursday that would have cut all support for the federally subsidized health care provider, in what was seen as an attempt to appease right-wing conservatives in the party.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was set to introduce a new budget resolution Monday that could fund the government at current levels until December but does not include the controversial Planned Parenthood measure.

“There are two different roads that we can take. One is to insist that no more money go to Planned Parenthood and cause a government shutdown,” McConnell said after his first budget proposal failed Thursday. “The other is to take a slightly longer-term approach, taking advantage of the fact that we have the attention of the country as probably never before.”

However, the effort to defund Planned Parenthood using a federal budget bill may not be over in the House.

Boehner stunned Washington by announcing he will resign from Congress in October, a move that was seen as a victory for conservative Republicans who want to a more hardline strategy on Planned Parenthood and other issues.

“It was my plan to only serve as Speaker until the end of last year, but I stayed on to provide continuity to the Republican Conference and the House,” he said in a written statement. “It is my view, however, that prolonged leadership turmoil would do irreparable damage to the institution. To that end, I will resign the Speakership and my seat in Congress on Oct. 30.”

Boehner’s ouster showed the power of his far-right foes in the party, who may insist on defunding the health care organization and hold up any budget in the meantime.

http://www.stripes.com/dod-no-troop-pay-civilians-could-be-furloughed-if-government-shuts-down-1.370194

DOD: No troop pay, civilians could be furloughed if government shuts down

Troops will not get paychecks and Defense Department civilians could be furloughed if Congress fails to pass a new federal budget and the government shuts down Thursday, according to a DOD memo sent out to personnel.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 25 at 2015 1:34 PM

2015-09-25T13:34:08-04:00

This is ridiculous for DoD to claim that troops will not be paid if the government shuts down.

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 25 at 2015 1:35 PM

2015-09-25T13:35:13-04:00

Here we go again.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2015 1:35 PM

2015-09-25T13:35:38-04:00

I am betting we get paid. No need to scare the minions RP.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2015 1:37 PM

2015-09-25T13:37:08-04:00

Seriously, lets just get a ruler, have them drop trouser and end this contest so they can stop with the antics and have everyone stay working and get paid.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2015 2:00 PM

2015-09-25T14:00:24-04:00

It has happened before. But they always either write another bill to continue troop pay, or pay it retroactively.

Furlough will suck for me though.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2015 2:04 PM

2015-09-25T14:04:59-04:00

What's going to suck or be cool depending on how you look at it, is that Reserve soldiers who drill the first weekend or possibly the second weekend in the month won't have Battle Assembly at all.

Response by SGT Christopher Churilla made Sep 25 at 2015 2:21 PM

2015-09-25T14:21:07-04:00

If there is a shutdown, I'd like for the politicians to not get paid either, seeing as how they caused it in the first place.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 25 at 2015 3:10 PM

2015-09-25T15:10:13-04:00

And according to the weather forecast in DC, water will still be wet and congress still won't be worth paying.

Response by Cpl Tou Lee Yang made Sep 25 at 2015 3:13 PM

2015-09-25T15:13:01-04:00

And people still vote for the GOP. You reap what you sow!

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Sep 25 at 2015 4:37 PM

2015-09-25T16:37:38-04:00

Of course Congress will be blamed for any shutdown and the GOP leaders will fold like a cheap tent. The Administration will get away with this misdirection because most of We the People don't have a clue as to how spending is accomplished in the District of Calamity. Sad...

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 25 at 2015 4:40 PM

2015-09-25T16:40:15-04:00

I hate that the administration is playing politics with our men and women in uniform.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2015 4:51 PM

2015-09-25T16:51:51-04:00

And on that day, the motorpool was silent

Response by PFC Greg Ortiz made Sep 25 at 2015 4:53 PM

2015-09-25T16:53:47-04:00

Notice how it's the men and women in uniform who may suffer, and not the millions collecting welfare

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 25 at 2015 5:12 PM

2015-09-25T17:12:13-04:00

How many times has the military NOT been paid with a full or part government shutdown. The Congress will pass an exemption, as they have done in the past. Will President Obama sign it as before? Yes. Were it not for the Park Service and some government contractors, it would have gone unnoticed in 2013. Remember how some were paid Unemployment in addition to pay and created an issue?

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Sep 25 at 2015 5:45 PM

2015-09-25T17:45:10-04:00

I know that last year or 2 years ago when this all went down before....banks like USAA and others put it out that they would continue depositing identical pay into accounts of their members even if the Government didn't send pay checks. They would consider it an "interest free loan" to the member and would keep the money $ for $ of pay once it was released. (if you got promoted and your pay went up, you would get the extra type of thing). The civilians got furloughed and life sucked for a bit....but things ended up coming thru ok.

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 25 at 2015 5:50 PM

2015-09-25T17:50:18-04:00

Not so worried on this however The U.S. hit its $18.1 trillion debt limit in March and the Treasury Department has been using accounting maneuvers since then to extend the nation’s borrowing ability. Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew has estimated the agency would be able to continue borrowing at least through late October and urged Congress to raise the limit before then. If this comes to a debt limit impasse this will be bad as it will affect our credit rating thus sinking the equity markets. The current fiscal policies are not inline with entitlements and are unsustainable yet we allow those in charge to plod along unaffected dueling it out in some political pissing contest. I say vote the lot out to send a clear message that the people are in charge and we demand leadership.

Response by Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. made Sep 25 at 2015 9:47 PM

2015-09-25T21:47:25-04:00

The military (DOD) should be de-linked from other government programs and not be held hostage by any branch of government especially the person who holds the office of Commander-in Chief who is demanding pay increased for other parts of government if the military get their "pittance" pay raise, And it is time to address: why-in-the-H are there 350,000 civilian workers at the Pentagon? And, we are not even addressing the VA. Time to cut bureaucracy at the Pentagon, hire a few more competent doctors and staff at the VA and to STOP holding the pay of retired and active duty hostage for the parlor games played by the White House and Congress. Note, democrat Senators have refused to take up (filibustered) the independent funding bill for the military based on a veto threat by our President / Commander in Chief who wants more money for the rest of Government.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2015 9:52 PM

2015-09-25T21:52:14-04:00

I know that in Louisiana you can recall any state or federal elected official, i.e. a Senator. If your state has this as well and any type of furlough happens, I say we begin the process of recalling them from office. This would send a clear message to them that we the people are sick of their BS and we will hold them accountable.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2015 10:49 PM

2015-09-25T22:49:54-04:00

We are getting less and less a chip in politics as many see us not at war anymore.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2015 11:35 PM

2015-09-25T23:35:41-04:00

Ill walk out if they do, we dont get payed enough to deal with the bull shit every day let alone the hours. Oh wait Welfare is still being funded to all the illegals! Granted if I was overseas I would keep fighting but being stateside with my thumb up my ass. We'll see what happens when all of us stateside walk off the base and how quick they figure there shit out.

Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Sep 25 at 2015 11:37 PM

2015-09-25T23:37:13-04:00

This would be a first, wouldn't it? In all the budget related government shut-downs in the past, there was never a problem with military members getting paid that I can remember.

Response by GySgt Moses Lozano made Sep 26 at 2015 12:39 AM

2015-09-26T00:39:35-04:00

Here we go again Congress! They all need to be voted out and replaced. Along with term limit implementation. Nobody needs to be in an elected position for more than 8 years!

Response by SGT Jeremy Reese made Sep 26 at 2015 1:30 AM

2015-09-26T01:30:27-04:00

I wonder if they will furlough mission essential personnel. They didn't last time.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2015 8:57 AM

2015-09-26T08:57:47-04:00

If the government shuts down again I am sure USAA and navy federal credit union will issue interest free payday lowns if you need them. Other wise just sit back wait all you can do.

Response by PO2 Edward Shelton made Sep 26 at 2015 9:46 AM

2015-09-26T09:46:42-04:00

Last time troops still got paid, its just another one of their empty threats. However the DOD civilians didn't receive pay during the government's pissing contest, so they just stopped going to work till everything was back to normal.

Response by MSgt Erik Copp made Sep 26 at 2015 10:18 AM

2015-09-26T10:18:11-04:00

We hear the same thing year after year.

Response by GySgt Ray Wyatt made Sep 26 at 2015 8:55 PM

2015-09-26T20:55:41-04:00

No shut downs from 1997 to 2012. We need a leader that will work with Congress. A Congress that has a backbone and Transparency from both. In 2013 Obama closed the WWII war memorial... What will he close this time? Fire them all and start over with 50% Veteran required.. We all have opinions but none of us know all the facts, thanks for the Transparency...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2015 2:02 AM

2015-09-27T02:02:48-04:00

It's the same song and dance every time.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 27 at 2015 3:33 AM

2015-09-27T03:33:46-04:00

I'm not surprised. When was the last time we had a fully approved budget?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2015 3:36 AM

2015-09-27T03:36:51-04:00

I think we have a couple threads going on this one already. While there are technicians and AGR folks that stress over this kind of threats...it is political maneuvering. I am deployed. Do I worry bonus doesn't get paid, sure. Do I take a cut in pay during a deployment? You bet. At the end of the day, the Army always recoups a debt you and always pays you what you are due. Making the military fearful of when the bills will get paid...is a nasty tactic.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 27 at 2015 4:46 AM

2015-09-27T04:46:53-04:00

I think we are going to a three party system. There will be the Majority Democrats, the Minority Republicans, and the irritating and destructive Tea Party. CPT L S

Response by PO2 William Smith made Sep 27 at 2015 6:27 AM

2015-09-27T06:27:52-04:00

My thoughts are to defund Congress and President until our military gets pay issues fixed once and for all!

Response by SMSgt Tony Barnes made Sep 27 at 2015 8:42 AM

2015-09-27T08:42:30-04:00

Ridiculous...accomplishes very little.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Sep 27 at 2015 8:55 AM

2015-09-27T08:55:23-04:00

Get used to being a bit of backdrop for the inability of our Representatives to do their jobs. The price of working in the Executive branch.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Sep 27 at 2015 11:18 AM

2015-09-27T11:18:50-04:00

As it says in Ecclesiastes: "There is nothing new under the sun."

Response by PO1 Charles Kozlowski made Sep 27 at 2015 11:18 AM

2015-09-27T11:18:59-04:00

Always an idle threat, and never lasts long even when enacted... at least to date. We'll see what happens, but I am doubtful of cause for concern.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 27 at 2015 11:19 AM

2015-09-27T11:19:54-04:00

The military is being used as a political football yet again

Response by 2ndLt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2015 12:02 PM

2015-09-27T12:02:59-04:00

Same song and dance as before. The media makes a scare and nothing happens. Depending on who you bank with, I was told by my bank that they would run our paychecks either way.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2015 12:45 PM

2015-09-27T12:45:44-04:00

It's a scare tactic to try to force you into support mode. They want you to call your representatives to make them capitulate to an overreaching executive branch. Does anyone honestly believe they want to piss off the whole US military.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2015 3:26 PM

2015-09-27T15:26:07-04:00

The real question is... Will USAA still pay us a day early if they're not sure we'll get paid on the first? Hah

Response by PO1 Cameron Rhyne made Sep 27 at 2015 4:37 PM

2015-09-27T16:37:13-04:00

Congress needs to do it's fucking job and passing a budget each year is the very basic level of it's job, which they have consistently failed to perform for the past 5 years or so. Considering they seem to spend half the year on vacation(or campaigning), I wonder why we even pay them. It would be nice if we could put in some kind of clause that says if they can't pass a budget, they don't get paid until they do.

Response by CWO2 John Markiewicz made Sep 27 at 2015 5:19 PM

2015-09-27T17:19:27-04:00

Congress has but one essential job and that is to pass a budget and fund it in time to prevent a shutdown. They rarely do their jobs and try to patch things up with continuing resolutions. We should throw all the bums out and start over.

Response by CWO2 John Markiewicz made Sep 27 at 2015 5:22 PM

2015-09-27T17:22:54-04:00

The one essential job they have is to pass a budget and fund it. They fail each year and rely on continuing resolutions in most years. Throw all of the bums out and start over.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2015 6:24 PM

2015-09-27T18:24:37-04:00

It would be the second time this has happened, if it does. Last time we got half our pay check. Luckily Navy Federal still paid us the full amount taking the cut themselves. STOP MESSING WITH OUR LIVELY HOODS AND BENIFITS AND RUN THE DAM COUNTRY... -_- They should cut their pay instead.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2015 6:30 PM

2015-09-27T18:30:14-04:00

It's all a political ploy. Get everyone's hair on fire. FYI, VA is funded. We have been told, plan on working, no problem. This is all a feather ruffling between the Dems and GOP

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2015 6:59 PM

2015-09-27T18:59:02-04:00

As a Guardsman, the money isn't too big of a deal, but if I get screwed out of October range again, I'll be pissed.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2015 8:24 PM

2015-09-27T20:24:16-04:00

Meh, if you have been smart and joined Navy Federal Credit Union then you have no problems. In the past, and I suspect it will continue, NFCU will deposit what you made last payday into your account. The money will come from NFCU's reserves as a no-cost loan. When your money comes finally comes in NFCU will then take those funds and replace them in their reserves.

Response by PO1 Robin Casper made Sep 28 at 2015 8:11 AM

2015-09-28T08:11:23-04:00

I have been retired for 15 years and heard this many times while on active duty and since retirement. It has not happened yet where the military have not received a paycheck. Every year we hear the same thing. Keep your head up and keep standing the watch!

Response by Maj Walter Kilar made Sep 28 at 2015 8:29 AM

2015-09-28T08:29:30-04:00

Here we go again. Another year, another round of waiting on Congress. In an ideal world the 27th Amendment would have included a provision that prevented Congress from getting paid until it agreed on the budget from which their pay is coming.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Sep 28 at 2015 8:51 AM

2015-09-28T08:51:18-04:00

There probably won't be a shutdown thanks to the Boehner resignation. The bigger question is how much the Haster rule is going to be tossed in the next month; there are a number of things like the debt ceiling that he could clear before the end of October.

Response by PO2 Lucas Haney made Sep 28 at 2015 10:20 AM

2015-09-28T10:20:16-04:00

How can they keep doing this to us. They have one job and it's one that we allow them to have with our blood sweat and tears. This hurts all and retention. I hope they can fix this. Great post.

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Sep 28 at 2015 2:52 PM

2015-09-28T14:52:42-04:00

Not a threat. Obama made the last shut down as unnecessarily difficult as possible including shutting down access to private property (the Mount Vernon Estate) and shutting down public roads keeping kids living near and in Federal Parks from getting to school. Remember the barracades around public monuments in D.C during the last one. Expect that kind of crap to happen again.

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Sep 28 at 2015 2:53 PM

2015-09-28T14:53:48-04:00

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Sep 28 at 2015 2:54 PM

2015-09-28T14:54:28-04:00

Response by CWO2 John Markiewicz made Sep 28 at 2015 5:56 PM

2015-09-28T17:56:41-04:00

Congress has failed to do it's job for many years. They are always late and last minute with everything they do. It is time to throw all the bums out and start over with new blood.

Response by SrA Marc Haynes made Sep 28 at 2015 5:58 PM

2015-09-28T17:58:48-04:00

I bet you all the idiots on Capitol Hill will still get paid!

Response by PO2 Nick Burke made Sep 28 at 2015 6:08 PM

2015-09-28T18:08:44-04:00

DoN civilian here at Great Lakes here. They ALWAYS get back pay. We civilians will not. We are just told to suck it up.
Sequestration was a good example.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 3:25 PM

2015-09-29T15:25:58-04:00

shut down or not, they will fight it out. We just do our job. :)

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Sep 29 at 2015 5:02 PM

2015-09-29T17:02:11-04:00

Government shutdowns really don't affect the military. They end up funding the government something like 80%. It's all just BS. I think there were 8 of them during the Reagan years. Due to budget, my classmates and I were frocked early to O-3 and promoted more than 3 months late. Don't sweat it.

Response by SSgt Claudia Marbury made Sep 30 at 2015 12:14 AM

2015-09-30T00:14:34-04:00

Oh please! They do this every year, "threatening" everyone with the 'shutdown.'. Maybe if Congress had their pay withheld too, they might get on it, and pass a reasonable budget on time.

Response by SSG Toryn Green made Sep 30 at 2015 12:29 AM

2015-09-30T00:29:13-04:00

How about Congress not get paychecks during this period. Let's see how long that lasts.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Apr 26 at 2017 9:08 AM

2017-04-26T09:08:57-04:00

If there is a government shutdown no government employee should be paid...to include Congress, Senate, and the President until it is fixed...I was a Govt employee during the last shutdown and enjoyed the time off. However, I got paid for that time when I came back to work so it was a paid vacation.