Service members would earn pay during shutdown

News > Service members would earn pay during shutdown

Photos


(U.S. Air Force graphic)
Download HiRes

Related Links
• 2011 Appropriations Information Page

Service members would earn pay during shutdown

Posted 4/6/2011

Email story Print story

by Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

4/6/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Military members would continue to earn wages in the event of an April 8 shutdown of the federal government, but they'd have to wait to collect them until Congress agrees on a budget, a senior administration official said here April 6.

During a telephone briefing administered by the Office of Management and Budget, a senior administration official detailed the consequences of a possible federal government shutdown that will occur April 8 if Congress doesn't agree on a budget.

Service members, the official said, "will continue to earn money" in the event of a shutdown.

But because there wouldn't be any money to pay out to service members during a shutdown, the official said, they would have to wait to be reimbursed.

"They will be paid once we have money again to pay them," the official said.

Some members of the Defense Department's federal civilian work force would be exempted from a shutdown because of their work in critical areas, or because they are funded through sources outside the federal budget, the official said.

However, "a significant number of DOD civilian employees, unfortunately, would be furloughed if the government shuts down," the official said.

Activities necessary to protecting life and property, or those whose funding comes from someplace other than the federal budget, will continue if the government shuts down April 8, the official added.

Comments

4/9/2011 8:14:44 AM ET
I have faith in my Country that eveything will be ok. However Congress is part of the Goverment so if we don't get paid they shouldn't get paid. They should all be ashamed of themselves and offer their resignations immediately. Capt S RAFL I agree

TSgt Clifford, Ramstein Germany

4/8/2011 3:24:25 PM ET
I understand and am accepting the fact We -- The Worlds Greatest Military -- may not be getting paid. My question is that when we do get paid are we going be able to charge reconnect or late fees or other penalties that we will get incurr for making a payment late? I am working on getting my family taken care of financially. We turned off cable, don't eat out, and I even drive a car older then my kids that leaks more oil then BP. Honey I guess its back to square one.

SrA Park, Hill AFB

4/8/2011 3:22:06 PM ET
For those who are commenting on a persons ability to spend wisely and have savings, consider the fact that the GOVERNMENT can't save enough to pay the troops. Do you really think the answer is you should plan better? How can we expect young adults to manage funds when Congress has no ability to do the same?

TSgt Lam, JBLM

4/8/2011 2:42:37 PM ET
Check your LES on MyPay. It's cut in half...

Airman, USA

4/8/2011 2:17:43 PM ET
If politicians lived more days in shoes other than their own maybe they could agree on more things. It only hurts the little people...who happen to support and defend the nation and the world without question.

Sgt. A., S. Illinois

4/8/2011 1:43:22 PM ET
So if the govt shuts down, I don't get my direct deposit...can't pay my bills...get flagged for financial irresponsibility...and lose my security clearance.

Brokeback Billy, Soup Line

4/8/2011 1:37:36 PM ET
My question to those people who say how am I going to feed my kids...the longest shut down in history is 21 days. I'm sorry but if you can't make it 3 weeks feeding your kids and you are a SSgt or TSgt or higher...you may need to rethink how you spend. I understand some may have recently had an emergency occurr that already hit hard at home; however, that's not the case with all. I'm a single SSgt with a mortgage 2 kids in daycare and no child support and I'm not stressing this one bit because I know how to manage my money.

SSgt N, Offutt AFB

4/8/2011 1:05:46 PM ET
CMSgt from Mt. Home - I hope you're talking about the government and not the Airman. If it's the Airman, how dare you? I'd be astonished at how out of touch you are with the people who work for you. Sir, life happens sometimes. Some people can't control unexpected financial difficulties. And in some cases financial disasters. Personally speaking I will be fine for a few months. But if this happened a few years ago even as an NCO I wouldn't know how I would've survived financially due to a few unexpected financial set backs. It took taking on a part-time job as a night shift security guard to get back above water. All the while still handling my responsibilities as a single father to two teenagers. Please try and understand the lives of your airmen. Not everyones personal life is the same.

SSgt, Travis AFB

4/8/2011 11:30:48 AM ET
Hey CMSgt Mt. Home - Nice comment coming from an E-9. Tell that to a new E-1, E-2 or E-3 with a family to support.

SgtCA, CA

4/8/2011 11:05:55 AM ET
I GET IT- WE ARE STILL EARNING MONEY- THATS GREAT- NOW LET ME THINK.... IT AIN'T DOING A DANG THANG IF I DONT GET A CHECK - IM JUST SAYING. Of course we are still earning money. Those folks up there on the Hill need to give us a fraction of their paycheck so we can get groceries and DIAPERS. We are the ones that have answered our nations call. WE PUT THE JETS IN THE AIR- AND DROP BOMBS ON THE EVILDOERS- BAD GUYS- WHATEVER. We should just flip burgers at the joints or be a greeter at Wal-Mart- Do you want cheese with that? Welcome to Wal-Mart- the gov't didnt pay me so I'm trying to make a buck..wait, we can't because jobs are scarce in the U S of the A. Well, we can always get unemployment..,wait, no we can't because we are still employed. I'm running out of options; maybe I should have started saving yeterday. I guess i should join the NEW WORLD ORDER because they are still getting paid. I need to find out how to get on their payroll... where is my yellow pages?

ARMSTRONG, DYESS BABY

4/8/2011 10:52:37 AM ET
The author either missed the point or purposefully avoided it. Not sure which is worse.

Maj Allen Herritage, Maxwell AFB

4/8/2011 10:02:45 AM ET
Dear Mr. President and Honorable Members of Congress....For the common good of those most vulnerable to damage by this impasse, please set aside your differences your partisan political agendas and your egos and....GET ON WITH PASSING THE BUDGET Thank you for listening. Now it's time to actVR--JW

Johnny Wishbone, San Antonio TX

4/8/2011 9:13:09 AM ET
You will still earn pay. That's good and all, but what about now? Until the money hits the bank and all my debts are paid it does me no good. It's a good idea to be financially responsible and have a plan for when something like this happens. However, as the old adage goes stuff happens. Matter of fact I had to dump most of my savings this winter to fix my vehicle so I could get to work. So now what? For the country as a whole the snowball effect this will produce won't be just a minor inconvenience.

Sgt B, East Coast US

4/8/2011 8:57:18 AM ET
I just joined the AF and trying to support a family. My wife is still trying to get into a school near base. Now that can't happen since we do live pay check to pay check and doing that with A1C pay is already hard enough.

A1C Elam, Hanscom

4/8/2011 8:49:56 AM ET
I encourage every member of the Air Force and their family members to contact their elected officials and to let them know how this is going to effect you personally. These people work for you don't let them off the hook. It is a very easy process just go to house.gov or senate.gov and find you elected official and send a respectful email to let them know how this will affect your family and how not paying our military is very disrespectful to what you do for this country.

Gary, Scott AFB

4/8/2011 8:45:40 AM ET
So what about the Soldiers and sailors civil relief act?

B, somewhere us

4/8/2011 7:33:58 AM ET
The Gov't should be required to have 6 months worth of all federal employees pay saved and set aside so they can continue to pay us when they fail to perform their jobs and settle on a budget.

Mike, Little Rock AFB

4/8/2011 5:17:22 AM ET
Maybe when we can't afford to pay rent we should move into the homes of our government representatives. I'm sure after a few days they'll not only make sure we're paid but we'd be receiveing record pay raises.

Deployed Sgt, Southwest Asia

4/8/2011 5:17:21 AM ET
At least the folks in Washington are still getting paid to do their jobs. I'm sweating in the desert for reduced/no pay while my family is sweating at home over a stack of bills. So when they turn the lights out at my house how do I explain to my family that Service members don't rank as high on the budget as we thought?

Kyle, SW Asia

4/8/2011 4:01:58 AM ET
I am sure the Unit Commanders will have their hands full if the government shut-down occurs. I know I will be standing in the line at my Unit Commander's office to file my application for off-duty employment so I can cover my bills and feed my family. And to those who insist that everyone that doesn't have 6 months pay set aside is spending frivolously, just lay off. Some families try their best to save and then a true emergency hits and wipes their savings out and they may still be trying to get money back into savings to make up for the emergency. This situation is not a true emergency; it is a prime example of improper government management.

TSgt JBER, JBER

4/8/2011 1:59:55 AM ET
Why don't you have at least six months salary put back?

CMSgt, Mt Home

4/7/2011 7:27:05 PM ET
My question is how are my kids going to eat if neither of their parents can work and one is deployed?

SSgt T, Central America

4/7/2011 6:04:32 PM ET
Luckily miltary retirees are not affected by this cluster. If one wanted to make this interesting have all members of congress and the CINC earn pay during the shutdown and see how they like it.

SNCO, SWA

4/7/2011 5:36:59 PM ET
I remember watching the news about a month ago when we were told service members pay would not be touched. Really? To those who say well you should have 6 moths pay saved...in a perfect world yes however our young airman with families don't have the luxury of saving an extra 500-1000 per month just in case the government shuts down. What about our deployed folks? I'm sure they have time to worry about paying their mortgage or whether or not their family can buy groceries. Hopefully something is done soon. TOO and David couldn't agree more

DINFOS Student, Ft Meade MD

4/7/2011 5:25:16 PM ET
This will hurt the economy. And in a prefect world we would have 6 months worth of pay in our savings acct but some of us live paycheck to paycheck and it's hard to save up that much. I used my tax refund to knock out some debt my ex-husband stuck me with and it took a huge chunk out of my savings...but I wanted more money each month to put away in savings. Well the 1st Sgts and Commanders may as well expect some phone calls from some angry bill collectors bc since the economy has gone bad they have gotten brutal.

SSgt B, Peterson AFB

4/7/2011 4:11:59 PM ET
So how do our so called leaders in Washington explain to the loved ones of our brave fighting men and women that their loved one died fighting for our great country but they could not be bothered to pay them? This has to be the biggest example of irresponsibility in the history of any country. They should all be ashamed of themselves and offer their resignations immediately.

Capt S, RAFL

4/7/2011 3:11:18 PM ET
Indeed we would earn the pay because we'll be working as usual but not getting paid is a problem. It is ridiculous to expect that we will be able to pay our bills since this could like turn into something longer term than one pay period. As long as the politicians continue to play god with the lives of service members we are all in jeopardy of far worse than a lack of pay.

TSgt Tom, United States

4/7/2011 10:13:26 AM ET
Will there be any help offered to help our military families, especially our young ones who tend to live penny by penny and paycheck to paycheck to keep them from suffering penalties due to direct deposit/automatic bill withdrawals, late payments repossessions, foreclosures, etc? This is completely unacceptable on the part of our Congress. Back pay does not pay the bills or keep late charges from accruing. And depending on the Command, many are going to get raked over the coals even though it is not their fault. What will be put in place to protecting our troops while they are still putting themselves in harms way? I have already written my Senators expressing my disdain for their lack of progress. But what is the Air Force going to do to protect us? In today's economy even the threat of no pay is something to get worked up about.

Christina B, Texas

4/7/2011 10:11:37 AM ET
So who is this senior administration official? I would think they would want to post an actual name if they wanted to put people at ease.

Picord, Elmendorf AK

4/7/2011 10:10:33 AM ET
Why did the official not want his/her name attached to this? Curious. I thought one of the first rules at DINFOS was to never use anonymous sources.

Trevor Tiernan, Probably homeless next week

4/7/2011 9:29:38 AM ET
This is all smoke and mirrors. If the money isn't deposited into my bank account, I am not getting paid. It doesn't matter if I still EARN pay if I can't COLLECT it on the 1st and 15th I'm still not getting paid. This kind of word play sickens me to the core. As you may know our Senators and Represenatives WILL still EARN and COLLECT their pay on time despite a government shut down. I encourage all of you to respectufully write to your specific members of congress and request that they perform the job that we elected them to do.

AirGuunner, Kirtland AFB

4/7/2011 9:14:50 AM ET
This is where the have at least 6 months of pay saved up comes into play. Good luck everyone.

Matthew Emmons, Ellsworth AFB

4/7/2011 8:34:43 AM ET
This is unnacceptable. Congress must work with a sense of urgency to prevent this from happening. Consider that all members of the military are not allowed to work outside of the military without commanders approval. Next, consider that even if they are able to get approval most military work schedules are far too demanding to work outside anyway. Then lastly let us consider that many of our most junior enlisted members are trying to support themselves, their families and pay their bills on their salary alone. E1-E3 pay is barely enough to care for a family, so even a two week delay in their pay could severly harm some of these service members and their families. Act fast Congress. Act now.

David , DINFOS MD

4/7/2011 5:06:38 AM ET
This has such a misleading headline. How can you get away with using that? It states in the story that members will continue to earn wages but they will have to wait to collect them. The headline implies money will not be an issue because service members will CONTINUE to earn it. By using the term earn the author maintains her credibility because she didn't use the word receives. I'm guessing the article is propaganda intended to calm anxious Airmen around the globe who now realize they won't be paid until this debacle is finally ironed out. Furthermore, when the author quotes politicians saying we will still earn wages but have to wait to collect them when congress finally agrees on something she is tactfully saying nothing at all. We are still waiting on incompetent elected officials to do something they've already been paid to do.

SrA Clayton Murray, Spangdahlem AB Germany

4/7/2011 2:21:14 AM ET
It is sad when the Military Soldiers whom valiantly serve to protect our way of life has to do without pay causing possible tragic consequences for family members that need that pay to survive. Will the mortgage holders Power Company Phone Company all other utility companies wait till politicians do their job to get paid Will the grocery store let soldiers and their families get food and pay sometime in the future Meanwhile the Congressmen and President collect their paychecks for not doing their job so they can pay their bills and feed their families its just down right CRIMINAL

TOO, Southern Ohio

4/6/2011 11:11:00 PM ET
Pretty sure the people I pay my mortgage to don't care that I'll get paid eventually...and I'm fairly certain my back pay won't cover the interest I'll lose on my savings when I have to pull money out just to buy groceries.

Sgt.D, Southwest Asia

Add a comment

Inside AF.mil

GeneralImagesVideo

View All RSS

Subscribe AF.MIL

More Headlines

KC-46 enters critical design review phase

Slideshow: Fifth-generation formation  1

Air Force Week in Photos

Chaplains provide support and comfort for families

IDS agencies team up to teach life skills to new Airmen

ANG director discusses way forward

Carter: Sequestration would have effect of 'hidden tax'

CMSAF: 'Be the best, know your Airmen, tell your story'  1

Carter urges stepped up progress on cyber defense

Partnerships develop Air Force youth  1

Air Force leaders offer perspectives at four-star forum

Dempsey: Insider attacks won't affect NATO's Afghan strategy  1

'Teammates wanted' to deliver future

Personnel chief: Road ahead for Airmen tough, but bright  3

Commentary

Sept. 17: A day for Constitutional conversation 2

Losing Your Future to Sexual Assault 24