What are your thoughts on Military members not being paid?

CWO3 Dave Alcantara — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 15:13:58 -0500

I understand that this board is mainly made up of veterans. How would you have felt during your active duty time, not receiving your pay check?

With the possibility of another partial government shut down, the Coast Guard is again facing a possibility of not getting paid. In the last shut down active duty Coast Guard members were paid about 8 days late.

Remember as a service member, you are essential personnel. Patrols needed to occur, search and rescue missions did not stop, marine safety exams continued. Coast Guard personnel nation wide were utilizing food banks.

Now those of you who are thinking “that wouldn’t happen with the Marines/Navy/Army/Air Force”, need to realize that it didn’t happen because the DOD already had its budget approved for the year. If it hadn’t DOD would have been in the same position as the Coast Guard. It would have taken an act of Congress for the military to continue being paid.

There were bills in Congress to continue paying the Coast Guard, but with only about 40,000 active duty, the constituency wasn’t large enough for the powers that be to act.

I really wasn’t too worried about senior enlisted and officers. I was and am worried about junior enlisted with families. Another late paycheck can/will have negative effects on both Morale and Readiness.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2019 3:25 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 15:25:25 -0500

CWO3 Dave Alcantara It may be late, but military members will be paid. Folks in the military and civilian world should learn money management skills (living beneath your means) so that they are not living paycheck to paycheck.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2019 3:38 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 15:38:09 -0500

This happened to me while I was in basic. Luckily at the time I had no family and no need for money since Army gave me what I needed tjere, but I learned not to live paycheck to paycheck from it. When I become an NCO I want to ensure my soldiers have a plan.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2019 4:18 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 16:18:30 -0500

I think the Coast Guard went above and beyond what anyone outside the services expected. They were put in a very bad situation without a foreseeable outcome, and never faltered. I believe firmly that they will not waver, now or ever.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Feb 14 at 2019 4:23 PM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 16:23:42 -0500

Well, for starters, I think the whole concept is crap...but it's not likely to ever go away; not as long as politicians can use it as leverage on both sides.

I think if they aren't being paid, they should be granted an immediate leave of absence for the duration with no strings attached to find other temporary employment. If it runs more than six months, each member should be permitted to voluntarily resign with immediate effect. Those that choose to stay get full back-pay. Call every member separated under Honorable Discharges within the last five years, by reverse order of sep. date to see if they want to come back and make up the balance of those who didn't.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Feb 14 at 2019 5:55 PM

CDR Terry Boles — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 17:55:35 -0500

It is a shame that politics plays any role in not being paid regardless if military or civil servant.

It happened to me several years ago under OBama, nothing new but can be financially painful.

By the way, the Coast Guard wasn’t the only service not being paid during the last government shut down. All Uniformed Services not DoD were not being paid to include Coast Guard, NOAA, and Public Health Service. These active duty members still were still performing their duty despite no paychecks. Shameful!!

Response by MCPO Robert Kelley made Feb 15 at 2019 9:31 AM

MCPO Robert Kelley — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 09:31:08 -0500

When I was an E-5 and reaching the end of my first enlistment (early 80s) the paperwork got messed up some how and I wasn't getting paid. I had a wife and 2 children at home to support. I was stationed near family so I could provide additional support to aging parents so it was especially trying times. When the second paycheck was missed and request to travel to the District for an off cycle pay check was denied the Chief told me not to come to work. He said if they won't pay you then you need to have the time to work somewhere that will until they get it straight.

It was only a week but I was able to work with a house painter that paid me in cash at the end of each day so that was helpful.

I realize that would never happen today and certainly isn't the same situation as a service wide gap in pay.

The junior enlisted folks that make up the bulk of the services are usually the ones to feel the pain of any shortcomings and that isn't right.

It's truly shameful that Congress can't even pass a budget to present to the President or that Continuing Resolutions are the norm over the last few decades.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Feb 15 at 2019 2:21 PM

MSgt Michael Smith — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 14:21:48 -0500

It happened to me in 2009-2010 or somewhere around there. We only went for like a day or so though. The truth is that it very well could happen. The only reason it didn't last time is that those particular appropriations bills were already approved., Be prepared.

Response by Sgt Jude Eschete made Feb 15 at 2019 2:32 PM

Sgt Jude Eschete — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 14:32:08 -0500

Will I get back pay? If so, cool, if not, well what the hell can I do about it?

Response by SFC Marc W. made Feb 15 at 2019 6:04 PM

SFC Marc W. — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 18:04:55 -0500

Honestly, it straight up blows. I know several who were hurting because of that non-sense, but I also know people taking the hit who were still for it. It shouldn't be a thing, but my wife and I know the reality that it is a thing. Which is why we use a bank that provides loans during such events, and we keep an emergency fund as well as a CC with enough room to cover immediate needs. I hate it, but I accept the reality of it.