After three days of a government shutdown, many local residents are concerned with what the shutdown means for the local military. Fortunately, today the Senate voted 81-18 to end the government shutdown by passing a short-term spending package that would fund the government through February 8. The Senate vote earlier today does not immediately end the shutdown as the bill must be still be approved by the House of Representatives.
Should the government shutdown have continued, or if we see another government shutdown in February, there will be impacts to our local military members and their families. The Deputy Secretary of Defense released guidance Jan. 18 for military members explaining that, “All military personnel on active duty will continue in a normal duty status… Military personnel will not be paid until such time as Congress makes appropriated funds available to compensate them.” Civilian employees are subject to furlough, placed in a non-work, non-pay status, based on their position. The Office of the Secretary of Defense is letting the military services determine which civilian employees will be excepted from the furlough based on mission requirements. Of the approximately 750,000 government civilian employees, approximately 50% will be furloughed according to the Office of the Secretary of Defense. For information on the Department of the Navy Emergency Furlough, the Navy put out a document with answers to frequently asked questions that can be found at this website. Active duty military may have to take over some responsibilities of those furloughed employees, if those responsibilities are excepted, also known as mission essential or mission critical.
Maj. Carla Gleason, spokesperson for the Office of the Secretary of Defense stated that “Health, safety and national security won’t be affected.” Essential military operations will continue, to include deployments and training and exercises required to prepare for and carry out operations. That means that USS Carl Vinson and USS Theodore Roosevelt, both Coronado carriers that are on deployment right now, will continue operating forward and completing their missions.
Quality of life outside of pay, which is a very big factor for many military and government civilian families, may also be affected. The Navy Exchange on Naval Air Station North Island planned to remain open during the government shutdown, but the commissary was to close starting Thursday, Jan. 25. All Naval Base Coronado Fleet and Family services and facilities had planned to remain open including the child care centers, gym, movie theater, golf course, bowling alley, Liberty Center, marina, etc.  However, every base is different and many child care centers and other facilities may close during a government shutdown so it is best to check with each base.
Concerned citizens, military members and their families, along with the news media, have taken to social media to share their frustration with the government shutdown, and the uncertainty it brings. Military, political and community leaders are also using social media to share information about how the government shutdown will affect its stakeholders. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis released guidance that inspired the men and women serving in our military during these challenging times.
As we approach the next government funding deadline on February 8th, the nation will be counting on our elected officials to work together responsibly and fund our government and our military.
