I've been asked a few times about the possibility of the military not being paid as a result of the what looks to be imminent government shutdown. I don't like to speculate about such things as I was in the service the last time this happened in the 90's and we did indeed get paid, with a budget pass at the last minute. It appears though, that this time things may be a bit more serious.
Here's the latest on what's going on:
Report: Shutdown would hurt military families - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times
Basically, military personnel would indeed get paid next payday, but it would only include pay through April 8th, and no pay after that.
What the government is doing is absolutely insane. The military must report to work just the same every single day, no furlough or any other stuff that other government employees get. Let this sink in... that means we have personnel that will die on active duty fighting a war and not get paid for work that day - not only will their families have to deal with deployment, but also their sacrifice will get them the pleasure of having to call the mortgage company to say they can't pay, or not be able to buy groceries. Most of us live paycheck to paycheck, we don't have "matching" plans in our 401K's, things that many take for granted. Please send your good thoughts and wishes out to the military members and the families they support. We need them! They have til Friday night...Pass that budget!
I work as a government contractor, so my coworkers and I have spent a lot of time this week talking about this situation. For your and my and everyone else's sake, I hope the Congress works hard to make this work!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to us! What gets me is the fact that the military still has to WORK, grrrr.....
ReplyDeleteOh wow that is horrible. I'm hoping and praying that this doesn't happen to you guys.
ReplyDeleteIt's an absolutely terrible situation, and I hope for your sake, as well as all our other service heroes, the budget gets passed immediately! If not, those receiving Social Security checks will likely not see them deposited on time, either. I know a few seniors that will be hurting, but thankfully not us.
ReplyDeleteIt's ridiculous, isn't it? This shutdown will affect us here, with Dan being furloughed and the paperwork for my new job being delayed, but it sure won't be as bad as military families. I hope they pass this in time.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping for the best.
ReplyDeleteJudy
Is this all political game-playing? (Of the very dirtiest kind?)
ReplyDeleteThat's insane! What are the chances of them passing another temporary spending bill...or is that not even an option right now?
ReplyDeleteI just found out that in the event of a shutdown, Congress continues to get paid... where's the incentive for them to solve this? Also on our local news this morning, President Obama is spending this coming weekend down here near us in Williamsburg at a golf resort... hmmmm, I really hope this is a WORKING retreat?????!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely crazy and shameful. But of course Congress is going to make sure they are taken care off...
ReplyDeleteThis is unfathomable, Erin. So wrong and shameful and disrespectful and... I could go on.
ReplyDeleteHang in there and please keep us posted... xo
I am thinking along the lines of what mama Pea said....or maybe it is just hoping. There are now words to describe the shame that will occur on the part of the American people if the military does not get paid- especially if congressional officials do while the President swings his clubs. Grrr.
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