NeverLookin'Back

If government shuts down, so would troop pay By Rick Maze - Staff writer Posted : Friday Mar 11, 2011 12:08:58 EST U.S. troops could be required to report to work without pay if a budget clash in Congress results in a government-wide shutdown, according to draft planning guidance circulating in the Pentagon. A shutdown could happen as early as next week, as the government is set to run out of money at midnight March 17. A bill that would keep the government operating temporarily has been prepared in the House of Representatives, but it is not clear when or if it might pass. The government has been operating under a series of temporary appropriations, known as continuing resolutions, since Oct. 1 because of lawmakers’ inability to agree on how much money to provide federal agencies. Budget discussions have become increasingly complicated since the November general elections resulted in a divided legislature, with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats controlling the Senate. When the government was shut down in 1995, military personnel continued to report to work and were paid, but the planning guidance sent to the services and defense agencies says a shutdown this time will be different. “All military personnel will continue in normal duty status regardless of their affiliation with exempt or non-exempt activities,” says the draft planning guidance that was prepared for the services and defense agencies. “Military personnel will serve without pay until such time as Congress makes appropriated funds available to compensate them for this period of service.” Discuss • Possible pay stoppage Troops would miss a payday only if the shutdown continues through April 1. Defense civilian workers would be divided into two categories. “Essential” employees would be required to report to work even though they will not be paid; “nonessential” employees would be furloughed, according to the memo. Troops and essential civilians who report for work without pay would receive back pay when government funding is restored. But whether furloughed civilians would receive back pay could depend on whether Congress specifically authorizes that, according to congressional aides who have been doing their own shutdown planning. The memo, prepared in early March but never formally issued as guidance, attempts to spell out what defense missions would shut down and what would stay open in the event funding stops. • Military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan will continue, including preparations for any units scheduled for deployment. • Operations necessary for national security, safety of human life and protection of property will continue, but operations that don’t meet one of those three criteria will be “shut down in an orderly and deliberate fashion.” • Recruiting offices, processing centers and basic training will remain operational. • Emergency repairs and maintenance that cannot be deferred will be done on base facilities and housing. • Medical and dental facilities will remain open, although elective surgery and procedures will be postponed. Suicide, substance abuse counseling and crisis intervention will continue. • Dependents schools and education centers for service members will be open for use by private agencies for courses for which payment already has been made. • Dining halls, gyms and child care centers will stay open. • Base exchanges may remain open because they operate using nonappropriated funds. But commissaries, which are supported by taxpayer funds, may be closed, although the memo says military personnel might be assigned to replace furloughed civilians so the grocery stores could remain open. LINK: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/03/military-contingency-plan-government-shutdown-031111w/ I am active duty Air Force, so I hope this doesn't happen, but what do you guys think?? Any outside meaning here to decipher?

Indeed!!

Don't take life so seriously...you'll never make it out alive.

Thank you kind sir, I reciprocated. I was only kidding LOL

Dam*it! Who's the failure that didn't finish the job!?!?

Zac Brown for sure! "I got my toes in the water my a*s in the sand not a worry in the world a cold beer in my hand...LIFE IS GOOD TODAY"

You started an entirely new thread just to say THAT?? LOL Have a great day and stay optimistic...it'll all come together soon. Personally I'd rather hear .86 and 3.22 than .00085 indefinitely!

I like the sound of this. I'm hoping it's all true!

Could you elaborate on the meaning of the "60 hour lag in processing" part? Dinarbanker is alleged to be a reputable source for purchasing dinar and I cannot assume they would be an illigitimate source for the "cash-in" portion. With that said, I remain skeptical because I (as well of the rest of us) have yet to see the other side of the operation. I've purchased all of my dinar through DT, but DInarbanker has a location very close to where I live (DIA), so I plan on utilizing them when the time comes for exchange. Your investigation holds value because I know nothing of how the cash-in process will be run in reality (only what they declare)...I suppose I am just assuming everything at this point. (Maybe it's time I made a phone call.) Thanks for the info. I hope to hear good things soon!!

What happens, happens...and what doesn't, doesn't...but d*mm I would love to see this go down at the start of the new year!! I assume the worst and hope for the best...here's to hoping!! GOOO RV!!!

FACT! Unless they ever decide to trade oil using another currency...and are successful. Then, potentially, the dollar becomes worthless and we have ZERO control. However, I don't know what it would take for that to ever happen...

Not Shabs...it's the Saleh character that throws out all the conflicting info.

Fingers crossed...woke up from a dream about this happening 3 minutes before my alarm went off and since I'm semi-superstitious I'm sticking with the fact that it's a sign! Staying positive for sure... Let's do this GOI

This was one of the issues potentially preventing Iraq from their Chapter 7 release, was it not? If I am correct then this is great news!!

Negative?? I appreciate a good sense of humor, lol!! (+1)

Very interesting article... Things can change in a moment's notice as we've all seen before, but this does sound promising. I hope for the sake of their people as well as families abroad that things go according to plan and we see this thing pop off shortly. God bless and GOOO RV!!

Genius! LOL

I'll be praying for you. Keep faith and remember that everything happens for a reason. God will take care of us

LMAO Agreed.

Gonna have my..."toes in the water, my a** in the sand, not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand" if it happens Monday--but regardless, LIFE IS GOOD TODAY RV baby!!

Thank you for all of the information! Very well put together! Go RV!!!

Well said. I have a comprehensive understanding of the relativity and was insinuating the variability behind the term "soon" in that statement. With that said, I hope for the sake of everyone, especially those less fortunate, that this happens "soon" and changes many lives for the better...including yours! RV baby!!

It has been stated before that we would "soon" see a conclusion to the madness and I will not say that I don't get my hopes up from time to time, but I am confident (with Iraq's recent level of productivity in regards to the establishment of their govt) that things certainly are nearing an end. I, along with thousands of others I am sure, cannot imagine going into the holiday with something like this under my belt... It would certainly make for the best holiday season I've ever had! Bear in mind all the variables, but keep the faith and remember the golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Thanks for the post. Happy Holidays to all.....now lets see this RV!!!

Thanks for the info...Tbush, similar articles in the news section in case you haven't seen yet: Though we may never know when the RV will occur, or how much the rate may be...it's nice to see that at least things are finally beginning to come together for these people.