Hi, everyone. I'm a junior in high school considering a career in the military, but I have an important question. In events like a government shutdown, is the deployed military still paid? It's a bit of a niche question, but any info would be helpful.
Greetings! This is indeed an important question, especially for those considering a military career. Should a government shutdown occur, military personnel who are active duty would still receive their paychecks, but they wouldn't be issued immediately. Instead, they would be given their payments retroactively once the shutdown ends.
During the shutdown, functions deemed critical or essential, such as national security functions, including active-duty military service, continue to operate. However, non-essential functions may not, which could impact military salary disbursements if the shutdown took place on regular paydays.
Since the Pay Our Military Act in 2013, service members and the civilians who support them have been protected from the effects of shutdowns, ensuring a continuous flow of pay.
It's worth noting that though the military pay might be delayed during a shutdown, the military has always been funded eventually in past shutdowns.
That said, financial security and stability are essential considerations, and while there may be slight delays during such times, the integrity of the military compensation system holds strong. Just be aware that while you'll always eventually get paid, payment timing can be unpredictable during a shutdown.
Hope this helps you in your decision-making process!
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