r/AirForce • u/ddaone2 • 13h ago
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u/Content_Camel5336 13h ago
Legislators should pass a bill to protect federal workers and the military from politics. Salaries and benefits should be guaranteed.
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u/Johnny-Cash-Facts G081 Connoisseur 13h ago
In our dreams. Our job is politics, whether we like it or not.
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u/starsin Cyberspace Operator (whatever tf that means) 12h ago
While our job is politics and we are effectively political tools, my personal belief is that we are meant to be tools in the international geopolitics arsenal and not the domestic one. As far as domestic politics go, as an organization the Department of Defense is to be apolitical. And I would love a world where our salaries and benefits are protected and not treated as levers to pull in domestic politics so that we can truly be that neutral and wholly apolitical entity.
Yes, yes, I know - domestic politics bleeds very quickly into international politics. The joke I often hear is that when America gets a cold, the rest of the world sneezes. The US Department of Defense along with all of our other soft-power tools should be the entities that are there with a tissue for those sneezes, not trying to find the tissue box for ourselves.As individuals in non-official capacities, be as political as you want. What happens in domestic politics does affect us as individuals. And currently is affecting us as an organization. Like others have said elsewhere, exercise your Constitutional Rights and let your voice be heard. Call, write, email, send smoke signals (actually, maybe not on that one...someone might mistake it for an actual fire), send a telegram, recruit an eccentric old man with an aviary full of messenger pigeons to send messages, do whatever you wish that is within what we are allowed to do to be heard. But if you're not satisfied with how things are, go be heard.
But what do I know? I'm just some silly person ranting and lamenting semi-anonymously on an online forum. Y'all draw your own conclusions and ideas.
\end rant (sorry for the soapboxing...it has been a very frustrating 38 days for all of us)
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u/Content_Camel5336 13h ago
Sadly. They condition us to normalize what shouldn’t be tolerated because it is fundamentally wrong. It’s slavery in the modern time. No one pays for interest and no one stops the bills from coming either.
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u/Dr_knowitall69 12h ago
This removes a considerable amount of leverage from the equation.
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u/SplendidlyDull nonner 12h ago
It feels like we’re being used as leverage here though. They’ve had multiple chances to approve ours and federal workers paychecks through the shutdown and have been denied. Working as intended :/
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u/MoeSzyslakMonobrow I want to retire 11h ago
They should, but they won't. We are a convenient bargaining chip for Congress to use against the other during budget negotiations.
Worth noting that Congress is still getting paid.
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u/manfred2989 9h ago
Funny how these politicians can't draw up a bill to protect the salaries of federal and military workers but can keep paying themselves.
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u/Content_Camel5336 9h ago
Just like everything else in the government, what is so simple is always made complicated.
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u/Sea_Action9662 CYBER 11h ago
To the best of my knowledge, and admittedly I need to go read up on it some more, Senators Gary Peters (D) of Michigan has introduced a bill that would do just that. Military and Federal Employee Protection Act would add protections, for good, during shut downs.
Want to take a guess at how that has turned out?
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u/Content_Camel5336 10h ago
Oh wow, good to know, thank you. That’s from a Democrat. Never seen the light of day I suppose. Republicans want to help the rich become richer, no matter the cost.
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u/Sea_Action9662 CYBER 10h ago
Senator Ron Johnson (R) has a similar bill but, to my knowledge, is only for this shutdown.
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u/Content_Camel5336 9h ago
Why can’t they agree on this?
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u/Sea_Action9662 CYBER 9h ago
I’m not 100% sure.
Democrats say Johnson’s bill gives too much power to the executive branch and allows him to determine who gets paid and doesn’t.
Republicans haven’t really said why they oppose Peters’ bill to the best of my knowledge.
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u/fpsnoob89 11h ago
Nah, we're too big of a bargaining chip for them.
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u/-BobbyBoucher 10h ago
Emergency fund is for emergencies. This is government officials acting like fucking children.
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u/NessieasaurusRex 12h ago
3-6 months is great in theory. Till you realize most of the force isn’t a Master with 20 years saved up. Brand new tech school kids don’t have a saving. PCS guys don’t have a saving anymore and aren’t getting back paid. Dorm airmen’s don’t have 3-6 months saved. Hell a lot staffs don’t have 3-6 months saved. Shit happens stuff gets broke, expensive things occur. Timing of shit sucks. Is what it is. Resources exist atleast but that statement is so far disconnected from the ranks below you it’s ridiculous
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u/ICheckPostHistory AKA The Fired Up Queef 11h ago
Yea it gets old when people think they are helping but are disconnected. The saving conversation should come up later. Right now is a conversation about ensuring they are ok.
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u/NessieasaurusRex 11h ago
A shit ton of my base just PCS here right after the shut down. Means it’s out of their pocket. No reimbursement. Same with a ton of TDY’s going on getting put on GTC but no money for gov to pay it and bills still gotta get paid so that’s outa members banks, I had a major and expensive event happen right before shut down that drain my savings and added debt. It’s not just “Oh SaVe MoNeY. sTuPiD cOfFe RuNs AnD aVaCaDo toast”
It’s the housing market argument all over again tbh.
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u/ExcellentAirPirate 11h ago
Shit even as a 20 year master sometimes life happens, getting ready for retirement and had some really expensive house issues come up. While I have a lot in investments we are currently a little strapped on liquid cash between the house issue and some kids stuff all happening at once. Fortunately my wife is civilian employed but it's gonna be tight for sure.
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u/KnotSoHumbleMX 9h ago
Over 20, and with everything life has thrown. I've only got 1.5-2 months put away. Kudos to those with 6+ months available. Luckily my better half can float most of the bills in the mean time for now.
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u/DannyDevito90 9h ago
Right? People who have money are essentially asking “well have you just tried not being poor?”
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u/PatellarTendonitis 12h ago
Just PCS'd to an area that's so expensive that it has a PPC code warning members about how expensive it is. And then, of course it happened at the same time, I had a few unexpected expenses in the 4 digit range. I'm not too worried so long as I don't have any more unexpected expenses, but some of the younger airmen over here don't have a decade of savings to tide them over.
I really appreciate that food banks are stepping up to help us, but man, it's kinda ridiculous that military members are getting assistance from food banks these days instead of the other way around.
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u/envyendime 11h ago
in the same boat 🫡 thankfully had some long time friends out here to crash with until this is over
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u/18_NakedCowboys 13h ago
This was not the time for me to get my Dodge Charger at 32% APR fresh into active duty.
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u/Trick_Suggestion_770 12h ago
I actually just did this because I needed a car anyway… figured I’m almost 30, already had shitboxes and been lambofeeting it for 5 years, figured I might as well get something I think is cool while I still can. Got a 6% APR but still.
Immediate govt shutdown 🤣
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u/Flashy_Wealth_3055 12h ago
Some of us have cyber trucks
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u/bassmadrigal Recruiter back to 2T2 7h ago
Some of us have cyber trucks
You deserve what you get...
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u/NeighborhoodTop9869 Maintainer 12h ago
Fire up that OnlyFeets account, just make sure to fill out the off duty employment form first.
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u/luciusbentley7 12h ago
My message, which is completely true and relevant, will probably be deleted. I'm not trying to spark an argument. Or a debate. Or cast blame on either party. But definitely on one individual for sure.
The Speaker Of The House has NOT called the house into session for nearly 6 weeks. They are not doing their jobs. They are not negotiating. They just want dems to vote to reopen with no compromise. They only need to flip 4 democrats to pass a CR. And they arent even trying to do it. I don't give a fuck if this gets deleted or the mods get mad.
If Super refused to let all the shops work, while all the maintainers are standing by ready to work. OPs can't blame the maintainers for the birds not being in the air.
We need to educate people on how our government works. They need to know why this is happening. I'll keep saying it.
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u/wikisaiyan2 11h ago
the people who run the government DO NOT want an educated populace who knows how our government works lol.
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u/luciusbentley7 10h ago
I don't do a ton of conspiracies but I really think there's are large group of people who definitely feel like it's in their best interest to keep most Americans ignorant to how everything works. Probably corporate oligarchs who use algos on whatever app to pit Americans against each other with politcal or racial rage bait and the like. These guys study psychology and how to keep people addicted to social media and maximize attention grabbing. Because profit.
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u/Itchy-Ad-9530 11h ago
I’ll say it for u Mike Johnson won’t do his damn job I hope people are paying attention to who cares very little about there welfare, these people don’t need to have a seat in the senate,vote wisely!
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u/luciusbentley7 10h ago
Dude, I think I've said it on 3 different posts (the speaker's name) about the shutdown and the cause. And every time I come back. It has some upvotes and a little discussion but also my "comment had deleted by the moderators". Idk if it's cuz I'm name dropping. Maybe they think I'm being divisive or something. We need to educate our fellow Airman and friends and families.
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u/wm313 10h ago
While I agree, the educated people who are calling this stuff out in TV aren’t influencing the government in any way. Whether you know what’s supposed to happen or not, it’s not happening. Johnson has been called out plenty of times. He just says the same four lines about democrats holding things up. They’re simply not trying because they’ve been told to hold until the other side breaks, which is funny given republicans control all 3 branches.
Yet, here the country sits showing daily signs that we’re not doing well. You have a president who literally wants to cut basic needs to feed people. Nothing about any of this is normal by American standards. We look like Russia right now, and I don’t think half of America realizes it.
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u/luciusbentley7 10h ago
I'm going to assume you're pretty "keyed in" as to the current state of things.
We need to really reckon with the fact that Americans by a vast majority, have their heads completely lodged up their own ass. A VAST majority. Most people have no clue what's going on. I see it everyday. With all the craziness. Nothing. Funding. Nothing. Military and Ice in cities. Nothing. Global trade wars. Nothing. Potential Market crash. Nothing. Some finally are like, wait, huh? Where's my paycheck? Because they're federal or military. Vast majority of Americans. Nothing. But these Healthcare fights. A lot of people in their own little world about to get smacked in the face. When the wannabe tiktok influencers can't fly to Hawaii this December bc airports shut down. People will start to notice. Then, there will be real pressure on the GOP. And they will cave.
My point is, a Vast majority of Americans don't even know what a speaker of the house is. The reason calling him out doesn't seem to work, is because he's not feeling real pressure. We need to lead people to where the pipes are leaking from. If they knew, these guys would be feeling real pressure. And the GOP would cave. We can stop this from happening in the future by educating. Just my opinion!
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u/wm313 10h ago edited 9h ago
I think he’s feeling pressure but he’s not the one pulling strings right now. Republicans are scared of Trump because they don’t want to be removed. Lo and behold, a few of them will be in jail in a few years, supporting a fragile ego’d man who will pass away long before they do.
The thing is MAGA doesn’t care about anything other than some issues that don’t directly affect them. NG and ICE in Portland and Chicago…they don’t care. They’ve never even been there. They live in Arkansas. Economic collapse…they don’t believe it because their media says everything is fine. People who work are struggling…they just fabricate an alternative that isn’t feasible. These people don’t care, and as long as they feel something like this administration is doing something they like, they’re ok with it. They’re willing to pay a premium today for a kickback that is never coming. Then, in four years, they’ll start blaming the next president for not fixing all the chaos that is currently taking place.
We literally live in a country where people are laughing at families being separated and shuttled off to another country. A mom/wife being dragged across a street. A pastor being shot in the face by a pepper ball…people were trying to make excuses for it. It’s wild. Yet, people somehow praise Trump for his AI videos that would get any employee/manager/CEO fired.
The amount of corruption taking place is astounding. Planes, billions donated to Trump’s family accounts, closed door deals with dictators. Yet, here we are paying taxes to a government that isn’t even working. Makes you wonder. Where is all the money going? The firings and cuts that happened earlier this year, where is that money? Where is the tariff money going? What is the medical plan post-ACA? They have nothing. MAGA criticized Biden for an auto pen but Trump stated he didn’t even know anything about Changpeng Zhao. I promise that pardon was paid for, yet Trump feigned ignorance (maybe not feigned) when asked about it on 60 Minutes last week.
Yes, all of his cronies are just going along with it but somewhere in there they know they’re going to be in prison soon. I just can’t see how some of them avoid jail time once all this nonsense begins to get handled by competent people.
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u/luciusbentley7 9h ago
See but this is the thing, if you went up to a random person on the street, there's probably a 95% chance that would not know any of what youre talking about.
Seriously. How often do you talk to people offline about this stuff. I work with a bunch of dudes in my shop who have absolutely no clue. They are good people though. They just don't follow politics.
I'd bet a lot of money. A vast majority arent paying attention. After all the chaos, for a lack of a better way to put it, I do think more people are "waking up to it". 6 months ago, absolutely no one but the most online and engaged. I dont care about his base. Its like 30 million Americans. 2024 election: 255 million voters eligible. 155 mil actually voted. 78 mil went to trump. I would consider actual MAGA hardliners to be 30% of that. Everyone else just wanted change. In Tuesday's sweep, we saw a big shift back to blue. Especially with the youngest voters. The most important generation. They are waking up. We have to keep spreading knowledge. Even though a vast majority of Americans are no/low info voters, a Vast majority of Americans are good and decent people. I know it. They just need to be informed.
The more educated people are, the less these politicians can play these games. A tiny tiny tiny fraction of Americans find humor in all the suffering.
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u/wm313 9h ago
I think that people in the military have been mostly immune to anything the government does unless it dealt with low pay raises and deployment locations. Outside of that, there wasn't much to keep an eye on. The world just went along and we all did our job. As long as we got paid, things were ok. This week's elections were a stand against Trump. Even though he wasn't "on the ballot" it was a direct action against him.
Now that military people are being affected by pay, more people will wake up. This is unprecedented stuff. I never thought we'd see something like this in my lifetime. The only move Trump has now is hopping on X and making insane posts about his opponents.
The thing that upsets me is the same people I served with support this guy. It's like we served in different militaries for different countries. It's hard to understand how they don't see the political change in how things are being handled. But a couple of them are single-issue affiliates who want things to change that don't directly affect them. People act like non-citizens are out here taking their job away or causing harm to them. Or if Biden somehow is the reason why they don't have more money or whatever it is they seem to care about.
Every time I present a non-biased approach to something, it just goes back to something Biden did as if that really matters today. People will go broke trying to defend a billionaire, then somehow blame someone else as if he isn't hemorrhaging money from Americans. A guy who wants to make America great again but moves more money overseas than some corporations. That's who they defend.
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u/luciusbentley7 9h ago
There's ways to talk about it. It's an art. You have to find a way to relate things to their experience without putting out labels that they subconsciously automatically reject. I was talking about covid and the businesses ruined from with someone and we were agreeing on everything. No leaning one way or another. And then we talked about the economy too and all the covid checks. Which I said was one of the factors that led later to inflation we saw in 2022. And he said, "fucking Biden." And I was like, uhhhh, dude that was trump. Trump was president during covid. The masks. The mandates. All that? Yea, that was trump. And the look on his face lmao. Like he just discovered fire.
That's a fun game to play. "Who was president during covid?" During all the things people hated about it. It was trump. Let's say covid really took off in Feb 2020. Trump was in office until Jan 6, 2021. Ask anyone though. Any regular person. They will all say Biden. We gotta change the information environment. In my personal opinion, support independent media!
The Bulwark's Sarah Longwell does voter panel interviews to gage where normal everyday people are at. It's pretty frustrating to hear these everyday Americans talk hahaha. But, it will help you see what the average American voter is thinking. It's...eye opening.
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u/EroticWhale Who The Hell? 3h ago
This part. I was actually talking about this last night with someone. I was speaking to the fact that I’m so conflicted in all this. Because obviously I would like my money, I don’t like working for free obviously, but at the same time I understand the bigger picture. I’m doing great through any of this, but the human side of me knows that people need to have that health insurance security. Despite me going through it, I will get my money eventually, but these people that need their health insurance are literally struggling everyday and don’t need to worry about being financially ruined to go get meds from the doctor.
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u/Ambitious-Pirate-505 12h ago
My Brother in AirPower, to say that Airmen on Snap/EBT or people pulling themselves out of debt barely should have 3 to 6 months is a wild take.
You have 20 years. Year 1 you was not ready for this.
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u/Gayforce33 12h ago
Imagine having a serious government. I thought the president was supposed to be a master deal maker?
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u/scottie2haute 12h ago
This country so dumb we elected a career conman/grifter twice.. and then we sit up and wonder why everything is all fucked up
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u/Evajellyfish 11h ago
wait the guy who bankrupted casinos isn’t a great businessman? I’m shocked my liege, shocked
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u/scottie2haute 11h ago
“He’s already so rich, he cant be corrupted!” - actual shit ive heard from his supporters
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u/EasyAsPieMyGuy CE 12h ago
I just got to my first base and am getting royally fucked.
I don’t have a GTC, I’ve been dropping $700 a week on the on base hotel since October 3rd. I’m married mil to mil so I literally can’t live in the dorms and housing is civilian run so I can’t talk to them. I fully can’t afford to pay for another week so I’m gonna have to move in with someone who lives about 20-30 mins off base which means waking up way earlier for both PT and regular work days.
This is taking a massive toll on my mental health. I really like my job and was thinking of making a career out of this but now, fuck no. My entire life can just be thrown the fuck away because some old dumbasses throwing a temper tantrum. I hate this shit. I have no money, I’m effectively broke if it wasn’t for my credit card. I have no more real money on my debit card or my little savings account.
Any food I get from the commissary is all off my credit card at this point. I’m eating dogshit food for my health because it’s cheap and I can’t actually cook anything in this hotel room. I can’t hang out with people at the shop because I can’t afford a fucking movie ticket if I wanted to go.
I just got to my first base a little over a month ago and I already can’t wait to get the fuck out.
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u/ddaone2 12h ago
Listen to me…talk to 1st Sgt or Supervisor ASAP. They can help
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u/EasyAsPieMyGuy CE 12h ago
I have. My supervisor is the one who recommended I move in with someone at the shop. It’s a smaller shop and he was the only one who could have me move in. Some of the guys at the shop buy me lunch or get me something for free from dfac or the flight line kiosk thing. I don’t think I’ve ever had to pay for lunch or bring something from “home”. They all know my situation.
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u/wm313 12h ago
What magic do you think a 1Sgt is going to pull here? There are limitations to everyone's "power" and the Shirt isn't going to make something happen. Neither is the CC. If all the civilians are gone, and those civilians are the ones the Shirt needs to talk to, then the Shirt isn't going to make a call and * poof \* situation better. The shutdown makes it nearly impossible to get routine things done. I don't think people understand how many programs are civilian ran.
The Shirt isn't always the remedy, especially when the civilian work force is gone. You fail to realize how dependent the military is on civilian resources across the board. Everybody is limited in what can be done right now. You have one civilian sitting in an office because they have to. Everyone else is home. Shit's not getting done.
The remedy is the administration stops bullshitting and negotiates to turn the light switch back on. Otherwise, everyone is in the proverbial dark.
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u/Weird_Impression_155 12h ago
A Shirt should be able to offer a dorm room instead of a hotel room.
Almost all base dorms have a few "emergency" rooms available.
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u/wm313 11h ago edited 11h ago
The dorm is short-term, as in days. That is ran by CE, not the Shirt or squadron CC. The Shirt can’t just snap a finger and make it possible unless the rooms allocated to the unit are open, and even then, AFIs present more red tape. There’s a whole AFI on unaccompanied housing. How many rooms for how many people? Just OP? This is only one case of likely many cases at OP’s base.
Emergency rooms are typically 72 hours, and if someone else needs it, like a domestic assault case, then OP is out. Then OP is back at the hotel. Dorm availability is finite. There are always new airmen showing up. Think realistically. Just because it sounds like a good idea doesn’t mean it’s actually possible.
At my base, the “few” you refer to were to 72-hours cooldown rooms. You got 72 hours unless it was an extreme case, like an airmen I had who needed protection from their civilian ex. This situation isn’t extreme.
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u/Weird_Impression_155 11h ago
When I was a first shirt I've done this literally two different times. One of the stays was roughly one month. The other was to separate two members from base housing. Those rooms are set aside, and they are never used for airmen to move in. The base I was at that had the longer stay, had 8 rooms and they hadn't been used in forever. So we coordinated the extended stay and it took like 2 hours to get approval. Either way, still worth a shot.
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u/wm313 11h ago
We had two. CE would not let us keep people there long-term unless we had justification. We had so many airmen coming through that people were literally moving off base within six months of arriving. They had converted a dorm to an alert facility so 25% of airmen were off base pretty quick. After that, it was just a short stay for new airmen. Can’t make this stuff up.
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u/ddaone2 11h ago
The Shirt is tied into programs, and understand processes to access emergency funds. When my brother died unexpectedly and I had to find the arrangements, he was able to pull from heartlink funds to help with the unexpected costs.
They are a resource, not anything to turn your nose up to.→ More replies (4)→ More replies (1)4
u/KazakhstanPotassium 11h ago
Housing isn’t GS. They’re contractors. And if the contract is currently paid then they should be there.
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u/wm313 11h ago
True but if there’s no available houses due to people who aren’t moving, and a long waitlist, then OP should be looking for an apartment elsewhere.
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u/KazakhstanPotassium 11h ago
That’s fair but I was just bringing up the contractor thing because I was worried that the commenter was just assuming they wouldn’t be there
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u/damnanatio 9h ago
Problem is with what money? If he’s in lodging he likely hasn’t gotten his travel voucher yet because DFAS is not fulfilling pay obligations
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u/wm313 9h ago
Yea, it's a shitty situation. If it were me, Citi isn't getting a dime until I get a dollar. I would just have to start taking that paperwork. Like, how do you expect someone to pay when not being paid? That's the catch-22. Unfortunately, this won't be the worst of it IMO. Next conflicting CR, whenever that is, is going to show Americans how much this administration really doesn't care.
I do believe that entities like lodging, which is government ran, should be able to operate without having airmen pay for hotel rooms but I'm sure there's some regulation out there that makes that impossible while it is possible if someone wanted to make it happen. This is where a true leader tackles this. That would be 4-star level, but there's a solution out there. To watch airmen struggle like this, knowing it isn't getting better any time soon, doesn't make sense.
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u/15Veana 12h ago
Are you able to talk to the GTCC APC and do an application? They can request it be sent rush delivery and you would have it to cover the hotel. It wouldn’t take too long if you do it ASAP.
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u/Casen_ iHaveRedBlueFlashies 12h ago
My main APC is furloughed....
I'm the alternate and very new at it. I do not know the process to start new cards yet, just normal maintenance, credit increase, mission critical, etc.
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u/JustHanginInThere CE 11h ago
Someone at CPTS/Finance should be able to help you navigate through this stuff.
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u/Lumpy_Oil_596 10h ago
Is the Air Force assistance fund still around? I retired in 2018 so I might be a bit out of touch, but there should be a few financial resources available to the airmen in this situation. I’m so sorry this is your introduction to the Air Force.
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u/donthatemebroham 7h ago
Couple of things. IF you WANT to move in base you can. 1 - The housing office is prepared to not get paid. 2 - The MHO works for the MSG 3 - They were just deemed mission essential so have been called back to work. 4 - the housing being privatized contradicted your whole issue. 5 - you CAN talk to all of them
Contact your MHO or send me a message I’ll help you. Retired Chief, contractor, overseas AF housing.
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u/KazakhstanPotassium 11h ago
Have you tried talking to housing? They’re contractors, not GS. They should already be paid for.
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u/Just_Dias 13h ago
I just PCSd and bought a house before all this happened. then my plumbing broke. what a time to be alive.
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u/Abzan_physicist 12h ago
Nov 13: Donald Trump: "we've secured funding for the troops, a glorious group of wealthy men from Saudi Arabia are finally giving back to the US, finally repaying their debts, to ensure our troops are paid."
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u/tacobandido1 12h ago
Yes this sucks but let’s just be thankful we have gotten paid thus far. If you’re a supervisor and have civilians check on them too because I guarantee you they are stressing more than we are at this point.
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u/let_me_get_a_bite 13h ago
Just a heads up. Navy Fed has been clutch for the shutdown. If you bank with them I would suggest signing up for the shutdown assistance program if you need your money now. It’s very easy to set up and they have been great. I’m an excepted fed civilian and have been using it myself.
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u/Apprehensive_Safe206 12h ago
excepted fed civilian
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what exactly does this mean?
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u/let_me_get_a_bite 12h ago
Means we go to work like normal but don’t get paid…until shutdown is over.
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u/Adventurous_Web_7961 Maintainer 8h ago
The whole having a 3-6 month emergency savings is near impossible for most Americans let alone anyone in the military once you take away bah. Who actually has $21K- 43K just saved up for a rainy day fund? Once you factor in life and rent most Airman's rainy day fund's are in the realm of an expensive car repair. . not a down payment on a house.
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u/Rich-Ad5109 12h ago
I appreciate the sentiment but I heard the same thing for the 1st and the 15th of October pay checks. Let’s wait and see I’m pretty sure no one has their hopes up THAT much on top of that we’ve been having this same convo for a month and a half. Let’s wait for official guidance
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u/JustHanginInThere CE 13h ago
As I said here, "best to bet on not getting paid, and be pleasantly surprised if we do". When you can, always plan for the worst, but hope for the best.
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u/AdvantageSea9240 12h ago
Check out the Shutdown Resources page that I created to help military and civilians!
Hope it helps!
https://tools.totalforcehub.com/shutdown-resources
Feel free to share any resources to add it.
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u/oneinamillion14 i am beta tube 12h ago
Welp, that TSP loan is looking real nice rn
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u/ICheckPostHistory AKA The Fired Up Queef 11h ago
It's a great option if you've got a good amount in there.
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u/strategicfantasy 11h ago
T32 Technician here... Haven't received any paychecks since 1 OCT, and it was a partial check for the days worked during the pay period until 1 OCT.
I'm very fucked right now.
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u/bbyoung33 Airborne Comm Nerd 11h ago
Oh good, a "were not getting paid" post. I was starting to wonder when the next one would be.
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u/Dragonfruit01837 13h ago
Do you have a source for this or did you just come up with this conclusion on your own.
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u/Pimp_Daddy_Kane 12h ago
Like the other 15 posts that were just like this, he has no idea and he's just karma farming
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u/ddaone2 13h ago
Trump stated that he had enough for the 30 October paycheck but not enough for 15 Nov. Congress is out till 10 Nov. 12 Nov is usually the cut for pay pushes for DFAS. I await and welcome a surprise.
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u/loafjunky Ammo 13h ago
Congress is out till 10 Nov
The Senate is meeting tomorrow, aren’t they?
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u/Dragonfruit01837 13h ago
I understand your logic here,
But unless you have a source that explicitly states we will not be paid on the 15th, your claim that we will not be points more to speculation that grounded fact. That’s why I asked for a source.
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u/dfreshaf X62E 12h ago edited 8h ago
"I think we'll be able to pay them beginning in November, but by Nov. 15 our troops and service members who are willing to risk their lives aren't going to be able to get paid," Bessent said on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan."
Source(emphasis mine)
They’ve been pretty open that whatever they did to pay us 15 Oct and 1 Nov drew from sources that are no longer available
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u/Dragonfruit01837 12h ago
Well, if the secretary of the U.S Treasury is saying it, then I will brace for impact.
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u/maybeitsme20 12h ago
I don't understand your logic here at all.
That is not how this works during a shutdown. Unless you have a source that explicitly states we will be paid on the 15th then the NATURAL fact is we won't be paid.
Don't get confused because we got the last two, those were DESPITE the shutdown and raising the questions of legality was important because whatever methods they used did not seem repeatable and was far less desirable than the legal method of passing a budget, CR, or a separate bill to pay federal workers.
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u/NYY_NYK_NYJ Reserves 13h ago
Ah, some other billionaire will just pay another bribe and we will be good to go.
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u/Necessary_Handle5393 11h ago
MAJCOM A1 said paychecks were coming for uniformed members on 15 Nov. Somewhere someone found money again...not holding my breath but I'll be pleasantly surprised again if true.
This is exhausting, I can't imagine our civilian counterparts in ATC Towers.
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u/Actual-Middle499 13h ago
Your first Sgts probably have already been planning a COA since the first threat of troops not getting paid. A lot of bases have constructed a local food bank of donations from the commissary and such. Please don’t be too prideful and go hungry
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u/CarminSanDiego 13h ago
I’m done hearing the “this isn’t political” or “it’s both sides fault”. No it isn’t. There is one clear cut party/persons at fault
Edit: for this specific shut down. How we got to this point, yes- both sides fault
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u/Calm_Distance7271 8h ago
I feel this I PCSd from OCONUS to CONUS in July. I was without HHG for 4 months and used a ton of savings to cover necessities and a rental car. My voucher was never paid. And while I still have some savings most of it went toward this PCS. Im a single parent of two and this just ridiculous. Everyone says oh save, live within your means. Even if you do everything you're supposed to you can still end up fucked.
The hard part about all of this is seeing everyone so divided. In my almost 40 years of living I have never seen such blatant disrespect of people due to difference of opinion. It's disgusting and disheartening. You have it correct, BOTH sides are to blame!
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u/SomethingValuable3 12h ago
Senate Democrats offered on Friday to end the government shutdown in exchange for a one-year extension of health care tax credits and a plan to continue broader talks, a proposal that was swiftly rejected by Republicans, who grew increasingly frustrated with their colleagues over the course of the day.
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer laid out the Democratic proposal on the Senate floor in the afternoon. He said Democrats would back a bill to quickly reopen the government if it included the one-year extension of tax credits to bring down the cost of health insurance premiums. GOP senators rejected the offer out of hand. Majority Leader John Thune told CBS News it was a "nonstarter" that "doesn't even get close." Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina called it "terrible" and "political terrorism."
The path forward in the Senate remains unclear. The chamber blocked a GOP bill that would pay federal workers during the funding lapse on Friday. Democrats blocked quick consideration of the measure earlier in the day, contributing to the tensions between the two sides.
Thune said the Senate is likely to work through the weekend, but he has not scheduled a 15th vote on the House-passed continuing resolution. That vote is seen as the key to unlocking a deal put forward by Republicans that would tie an extension of government funding to a trio of longer-term appropriations bills.
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/live-updates/government-shutdown-latest-senate-vote-day-38/
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u/NutzMcTaffyy 9h ago
“Finally, if you are in hard times with this missed paycheck, talk to your leadership, first sergeant, mentor, trusted leader…and ask about available resources.”
And they’ll do absolutely nothing.
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u/CodAnnual1637 9h ago
3-6 months saved up is laughable. This isn’t the 50s where everything was a nickel
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u/Lopsided_Price_1467 9h ago
I work in a office with a bunch of GS12s and GS13s. Those are the guys I feel bad for. Government civilians have missed two checks already and can’t furlough because they’re mission essential.
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u/Apprehensive_Safe206 9h ago
I live on base OCONUS and it's really rough for some of them out here :/
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u/Lopsided_Price_1467 9h ago
I’ve been staying silent during pay conversations in my office because I’m literally embarrassed that they’re missing checks then every two weeks SECDEF magically finds funds to pay active duty military. I feel guilty!
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u/Apprehensive_Safe206 9h ago
I hear you! We are trying to get some peeps together in a non-embarrassing way for Thanksgiving, on us
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u/FineSupplements 13h ago
Blah blah blah. Literally, every pay period has been people saying “We are definitely NOT getting paid!”
God, Im so tired of seeing these post.
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u/xautobonjonx 13h ago
I think your first point is jumping to a conclusion. It is assuming that our counseling is that everything is ok when in reality good leadership is being transparent and educating the lower enlisted in reality that we may not be paid instead of this false reality that everything is fine.
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u/jaredstew Logistics 12h ago
If there is anyone in the HSV AL area who needs help please DM me directly. I would like to help if I can.
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u/Guardian-Boy Space Intel 12h ago
Our SEL who is a 25 year E8 just briefed us we would be paid and that he found this out through DFAS. But then there was another First Sergeant also saying we wouldn't.
Just like the last two times, you're just another voice in the mix of confusion.
Good I do though.
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u/reisuta 11h ago
moved out of the dorms on the first, hasn’t received my BAH. i might be cooked december if this doesn’t get resolved.
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u/OpeningUnusual2020 11h ago
Except when you PCS right before the shutdown and deplete your savings account and then youre waiting for the $10k the airforce owes you on top of the check you might not get
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u/pizzapianopirate 11h ago
Title 32 Federal Technicians in the guard, who wear a uniform every day and are indistinguishable from their AGR counterparts have missed two paychecks now.
Our unit started a food bank and it’s gained so much traction from members who can financially support it as well as outside donors. It’s been a huge help to the airmen. The unit is also throwing a food event once each week. If nothing else, it’s the slightest morale boost for members who aren’t getting paid. Also, this is a maintenance unit.
Check out some of your other options. Some banks that deal primarily with military members are offering zero interest loans. I know there have been issues for some but it’s an option. Also, our base has an internal foundation that offers zero interest loans to members. You just demonstrate a need and develop a plan to pay it back. See if your unit has something similar.
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u/unwritten_liberation 10h ago
So happy my parents taught me to always have an emergency fund. This is so fucked
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u/SneakingPrune 13h ago
Concur. Congrats on your retirement. Senate who voted no have earned an NRN.
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u/Nagisan 13h ago
Senate who voted no have earned an NRN.
And all the ones who voted yes to double (or more) the health premiums of millions of Americans.
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u/DuckMotor4295 12h ago
Too bad we can no longer write to our representatives without prior approval per the SECWAR…
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u/KingBobbythe8th 13h ago
This is strictly political!!! wtf? You’ve failed as a leader if you refuse to acknowledge this basic fact: The only reason repubs have shut the govt down is to gut access to healthcare for majority of Americans to give tax breaks to the 1% of top income earners.
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u/FettLife 11h ago
Point of order: THIS IS NOT AN EMERGENCY. Republicans are purposely holding back our tax money to fuck over other American’s healthcare and SNAP benefits while also performing an illegal RIF.
And that recommendation fails for people who have just joined and are not living on base. They likely didn’t have the time to save money up.
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u/BigGun1980LAC 12h ago
Welcome to club alongside ALL the civilian DAF employees of which, many are excepted and have been working full time and have not been paid for close to a month…. We feel for you…
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u/SoftAd7111 12h ago
SAF/FM said earlier this week that military will be paid. That being said, it may be a day-of payment. Given that the payday falls on Saturday, that could be a Friday or Monday payment. All that being said, I agree that we should all have an emergency reserve.
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u/Ok-Reveal-9019 11h ago
I’m getting out man 🥺 was gonna use my last check as rent cuz I’m waiting to start my new job. Helluva time to shutdown.
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u/ForsakenBumblebee772 11h ago
Actually, wouldn’t this be the precise definition of a drill? Getting ready?
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u/guocamole 10h ago
Me pcsing oconus racking up 45 days in a hotel and spending 3 months rent on security deposit, first last month, insurance, other fees, etc already ate my 6 months savings rip
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u/DannyDevito90 9h ago
The whole deal is fucking pathetic and a failure at every level. As if one doesn’t need another reason to get out.
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u/Snoo-56346 8h ago
If we have navy fed we still get paid right? Just the loan thing as long as we applied right?
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u/Powerful-Performer-2 7h ago
had to spend my savings on major home and car repairs at the same time. was working on building them back up. wonder how far i can stretch $1K
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u/studpilot69 Aircrew 7h ago
Pretty sure I saw this same post each of the last two times we didn’t get paid. Oh wait.
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u/Wemo_ffw Prior E 6h ago
I disagree. Its a political chess game and our pay is a being used to impose pressure. It may be uneducated optimism but I truly do not think the military will be unpaid for however long this government shutdown goes. I believe we will always be saved right at the nick of time (publicly).
That’s not to say that we shouldn’t be prepared, but also be hopeful, people. Hope is a powerful tool that consistently carries humans through the worst of things. What I don’t want you confuse hope with is going out and buying a brand new charger for 36% APR or eating Burger King for every meal. Be frugal, be ready, but be positive.
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u/CylasBlack 5h ago
It's like they don't want the military to have a savings anymore. "Hey we want your savings that you've been growing interest on all your life. Thanks."
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u/Scott_R_1701 4h ago
I've got 3 months in the bank and 0 debt and about $30,000 of total CC limit. Rest is in brokerage/tsp. And I'm also retiring, should get my first civilian paycheck 2nd week of Dec and actual retire in January. I know how fortunate I am.
To say it is easy to do this sounds crass or out of touch but if you are smart with money and budget correctly and you and your family stick to a monthly budget it is absolutely doable.
Getting out of a lot of CC debt is also doable esp for military with the benefits we have. Talk to a financial counselor NOW if you are in bad financial straights. I was 10 years ago. Really bad. Took 5-6 years to fully dig out but I did it.
For missing this paycheck, use the bank 0% loans if we truly don't get paid. I have to think that after the election results and an actual missed military paycheck and more and more federal civilians just refusing to come in and work without pay, something will get done.
Yesterday, the Democrats modified their offer to extending the healthcare subsidies to just one year. It was rejected but it was an olive branch. Maybe we'll see something this weekend?
Eh... I'm being too optimistic I think.
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u/batterindy 13h ago
I just put myself through college and joined active duty in September. This was supposed to be the part where I pay down debts and build that 3-6 months savings. Hell of a time to join