Government shutdown could put military paychecks on the line

Troops may miss paychecks and civilians may be kept at home if Congress doesn"t act to prevent a government shutdown later this week.

A memo from Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work last week outlined the steps the military would take if Congress doesn"t pass a 2016 appropriations bill by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, when the federal fiscal year ends.

Work said he and Defense Secretary Ashton Carter hope Congress will provide an appropriations bill or continuing resolution to prevent the shutdown.

"The administration is willing to work with the Congress to enact a short-term continuing resolution to fund critical government operations and allow Congress the time to complete the full year 2016 appropriations," he said in the Friday memo.

Work said a potential shutdown would not affect overseas operations, such as those in Iraq or Afghanistan.

He said other operations, "necessary for the safety of human life or the protection of property" also would continue.

And while active-duty military personnel will continue in a "normal duty status," Work said those troops would "not be paid until such time as Congress makes appropriated funds available to compensate them for this period of service."

However, any delay in pay would not affect checks scheduled to be sent on the day the potential shutdown begins, Oct. 1, as those will have been processed this month.

In response to the potential for missed paychecks, at least one bank with local branches is offering relief.

USAA officials said they will offer no-interest payroll advance loans to military customers in the event of missed pay days.

On Fort Bragg, some officials said they were waiting for guidance on what to do in case of a shutdown.

On Pope Field, the Air Force is recommending active-duty airmen work, while civilians in non-essential jobs be furloughed.

There are five major Air Force units at Fort Bragg"s Pope Field: the 43rd Airlift Group, 18th Air Support Operations Group, Air Force Combat Control School, 21st Special Tactics Squadron and the Reserve"s 440th Airlift Wing.

Marvin Krause, spokesman for the 43rd Airlift Group, said the Air Force is planning to operate under a range of different scenarios, including a government shutdown.

"Although we hold out hope for a budget resolution, proper planning will occur to ensure appropriate preparedness for the range of scenarios," Krause said.

Civilian personnel who are required to work will be treated the same way, while others will be furloughed.

The potential shutdown comes two years after the last government shutdown, which lasted 16 days in October 2013.

During that shutdown, half the roughly 14,500 civilian workers on Fort Bragg were put on indefinite furlough, and soldiers and their families were forced to curb spending in the face of unknown delays to their paychecks.

The shutdown also led to backed up maintenance at Pope Field, grounding planes longer than usual, and prevented local National Guard, Army Reserve and Air Force Reserve troops from training.

Other possible effects of a potential shutdown this year include stopping travel and conference participation by members of the military and halting the renewal or extension of contracts.

Work"s memo also outlined potential stoppages in regards to procurement and military construction, if it involves appropriations that lapse at the end of the fiscal year.

The memo did not direct specific shutdown-related actions.

"The secretary and I hope that Congress will pass a funding bill and the Department of Defense will avoid a shutdown," he said. "This guidance is intended to support prudent planning."

Just the talk of a potential shutdown can slow the local economy, business experts said.

George Breece, chairman of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber, said he hopes a deal is reached to avoid a repeat of the drama in 2013.

"The effects of a government shutdown leaves no one untouched and creates not just a ripple effect, but a tsunami on local economies everywhere," he said. "Families are drastically affected, businesses get slammed and the real sad part is when the shutdown is over it takes time for people and businesses to gain their financial confidence back moving forward."

At least two businesses in Spring Lake echoed that sentiment.

Martin Mancuso, a salesman at Guns Plus, said about 60 percent of the store"s business is tied to military or civilian defense employees. He remembers the dip in sales during the shutdown two years ago.

"People are a bit more cautious with their money," he said. "We know it will ultimately reopen, people just tighten their belts for a little bit."

Jery Howland, owner of Jery"s p**n on Bragg Boulevard, said he also remembers the slowed business during the shutdown.

He said it"s nothing to get worked up over, though.

"I have no control over it," he said. "I don"t get overly excited about it."

Military editor Drew Brooks can be reached at brooksd@fayobserver.com or 486-3567.

Staff writer Amanda Dolasinski can be reached at dolasinskia@fayobserver.com or 486-3528.

Source: http://www.fayobserver.com/military/government-shutdown-could-put-military-paychecks-on-the-line/article_e875f1e9-31b5-5550-91dd-3285f3d2f586.html