A Soldier’s-Eye View On The U.S. Government Shutdown

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Sean Allison, left, and U.S. Army Ryan Skeffington provide security on the roof of the U.S. Consulate in Herat city in Afghanistan’s Herat province, Sept. 19, 2013. Allison and Skeffington are assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division's Company D, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan D. Green

Shutdown at Ground Level: A Soldier’s-Eye View -- David Small, Daily Beast

The president signed a bill protecting pay for members of the military, but the shutdown is still impacting operations. Air Force vet David Small explains the budget crisis’s continuing impact on the military.

President Obama signed a last-minute bill Monday night, approved by the House and Senate, to ensure that even during a government shutdown members of the military would still be paid. But that bill came too late to stave off the hurried preparations that occurred on every military base in America on Monday as everyone from top leaders to junior soldiers got ready for the impact. Nor did the bill make clear exactly how many DoD civilians and contractors with jobs related to the military would be protected. According to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, pay will continue for civilians with jobs that “are providing support to members of the armed forces.” But support is a broad term and may not cover many of the ancillary functions that are essential to day-to-day activities and quality of life within the military, but are not deemed essential for conducting critical operations.

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My Comment: A sobering commentary from one who is seeing the impact of government cutbacks on the common Defense Department employee.