Government shutdown

I keep posting a bunch of articles on Facebook so I thought I would compile them in one place. I don't know how long this government shutdown will last and I don't know all the far-reaching consequences of a government shutdown. Some of the statistics that I've been reading on how it will affect the economy are unsettling to read.

Bases are putting out on their Facebook pages and websites the various functions that will be affected by the shutdown, including closures, limited duty, and things that will stay open with little change (NEX and Navy Lodge, for instance-- "NEXs and Navy Lodges to Remain Open in Light of Possible Government Shutdown" by Navytimes.com).

What does the government shutdown mean to military families, now that congress has passed a bill saying military will continued to get paid? ("President signs Pay Our Military Act" by Militarytimes.com)

A military wife at our installation shared this list of closures for our base. This is not a list of closures at all military installations due to government shutdown. I'm not sure where she found this comprehensive list, but here is the edited version (for privacy) of closures at the base we are stationed at:

* Commissaries OPEN briefly on October 1st to clear out perishables and CLOSE October 2nd until funding is restored.
 * CE responds only to Life/Health/Safety issues and emergency work orders (electric, sewer, water), all others deferred
* Environmental: Hazardous waste only
* Cease real property/space management actions
* No boat repairs, limited locomotive and forklift repairs
* Mission-critical (below MEL) vehicle repairs only
* Large contracts stop
* Base Support activities impacted
* Youth Programs and School Liaison Office closed
* Fleet and Family Support Center closed
* Education Center open for testing only
* Civilian Personnel closed after furlough in effect
* Libraries and LIBERTY programs closed
* ID card issue at PSD
* PSD can support transfers, receipts and pay on a limited basis.
* HHG shipments - new ship arrangements cannot be made until the continuing resolution or an appropriations bill passed. Previously arranges shipment will be as scheduled.

That's right. Commissaries are closed: "In shutdown, overseas commissaries would stay open; stateside commissaries would close" by NavyTimes.com. Most commissaries will be open on October 1st to clear out the perishable items, but will close indefinitely on October 2nd, until funding is restored.

TRICare has issued statements in response to the government shutdown, reported by the Air Force, "TRICare issues statement about government shutdown":

While we can't predict the exact consequences of a shutdown on every part of our MHS, we will likely see some impact on the delivery of health care services within our military hospitals and clinics... Patients needing to schedule new routine appointments might experience delays. For TRICARE beneficiaries using providers in the private sector, little or no effect is anticipated at this time.

 On Tricare's website, they have the same article, "TRICare Statement About Government Shutdown."

USA Today posted "66 questions and answers about the government shutdown."

Washington Post posted "Absolutely everything you need to know about how the government shutdown will work."

Washington Post posted this article, "As government shutdown looms, Americans brace for possible disruption, disappointment," several days ago. It had some good facts about how the government shutdown will impact America, like this quote:

Visa and passport applications from almost half a million prospective travelers would sit untouched every week, and late tax filers facing an Oct. 15 deadline would find the phone lines at the Internal Revenue Service dead. The National Zoo and museums on the Mall would close to the public. The WIC program, which provides food to 8.9 million low-income women and children, would be out of money, its supporters say. And in the District, garbage could go uncollected.

Military.com posted this article "Troops' Pay Protected as Government Shuts Down." Here are some highlights from the article:

Stateside commissaries will close after Oct. 1, routine medical appointments for troops and their family members may be delayed or canceled, and veterans’ benefits – from pension payments to call centers – could be postponed... [D]eath benefits for survivors of service members killed in the country will probably be delayed, the official said.

Navytimes.com posted this article, "CNP: Shutdown could delay special pay, slow advancements." Quote from the article:

Sailors won’t receive the danger pay they get in war zones. And advancement results, personnel transfers and the training pipeline could all see delays... Navy Personnel Command will only process permanent change-of-station orders to activities deemed essential or for those heading from boot camp and training to their first duty station. 

This article was posted by a fellow Navy wife and is full of information, specifically for Navy families: "What We Know Now About the Government Shutdown" on Navy Life by Vice Admiral Bill Moran.

The Wounded Warrior Project released this statement on the government shutdown: "Government Shutdown Statement." Here are some quotes from their statement:

We will maintain our nonpartisan position on individual issues, but will speak out strongly on the need to resolve the current impasse, as well as the looming discussion over the national debt, without a break in the pay, benefits and healthcare earned by America’s veterans, members of the military, and their families. These brave men and women fought and sacrificed for the very rights and freedoms that allow these debates to go on. We owe them more than this.

(The Wounded Warrior Project's statement also includes a basic list of services that will be interrupted due to the shutdown, services that will continue, and how to contact the WWP Resource Center if you have specific questions.)

There is a lot of information about the government shutdown online and in the news. My husband and brother-in-law are AD Navy. My parents are both non-essential personnel, as are many of my friends. I have several friends who will be working through the shutdown, many of whom are contractors or essential personnel who will not be receiving paychecks.

I know that in my community, the government shutdown has a very real and very felt impact.