{"id":83079,"date":"2025-10-01T18:54:52","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T18:54:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2025\/10\/01\/how-the-government-shutdown-is-affecting-troops-families\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T12:33:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T12:33:40","slug":"how-the-government-shutdown-is-affecting-troops-families","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2025\/10\/01\/how-the-government-shutdown-is-affecting-troops-families\/","title":{"rendered":"How the government shutdown is affecting troops, families"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The government shutdown has already affected some services on military installations, but the impact varies, according to Military Times\u2019 review of several installation Facebook pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, family centers at some bases are open, like those at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island<\/a>, Washington, but classes are canceled. At Fort Riley<\/a>, Kansas, the Soldier and Family Assistance Center, as well as its general Army Community Services office and outreach\/mobilization office, is closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Child care varies. At Fort Riley, five child development centers remain open, but the Whitside North CDC for hourly care is closed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Kadena Air Base<\/a>, Japan, its child and youth programs are open. The installation\u2019s government housing office reports there will be potential delays to customer service. At Whidbey Island, the government housing office will have \u201cdiminished\u201d ability to provide oversight and advocacy for military personnel during inspections of privatized housing for move-out and move-in. The government housing office at Fort Riley is closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defense officials issued guidance for operations during the lapse of appropriations, which expired at midnight Sept. 30, and it\u2019s similar to previous guidance for operations<\/a> during such a shutdown. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, House lawmakers are pushing for specific legislation to guarantee military pay during government shutdowns. While Oct. 1 paychecks are not affected, the Oct. 15 paychecks would be affected, unless House and Senate lawmakers can reach a new short-term funding agreement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to DOD guidance, officials expect to furlough about half of the 741,477 civilian employees, which also affects some operations on base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s some general information about operations during the shutdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Military personnel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Active-duty troops, including reserve component personnel on federal active duty, are required to continue reporting for duty, but their paychecks will stop as of Oct. 15 unless a new funding deal is reached. Military retirees and annuitants would continue to receive their pay, which is funded from a different source. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., has introduced legislation to ensure that troops, including the Coast Guard, would continue receiving pay and benefits in the event of a government shutdown. That authority would continue until regular appropriations are passed into law, or until Jan. 1, 2027. To date, 56 lawmakers have signed on to support the proposed Pay Our Troops Act of 2026. The bipartisan push also would guarantee pay and allowances for civilian personnel at the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security who directly support service members and contractors providing mission-essential support to troops. <\/p>\n\n\n\t