Military troops around the world are wondering whether the debt situation will affect their paychecks. Our nation’s top two military leaders recently responded to the question, “Will we get paid?”
In its piece Troops ask amid debt crisis: Will we get paid, msnbc.com reports that Adm. Mike Mullen told the troops, “I honestly can’t answer that question.” Adm. Mullen was speaking to troops at Kandahar air base in southern Afghanistan.
In similar news, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has reminded troops that they are still obligated to work. In a message released Friday, Secretary Panetta stated, “I am sending this note to remind you that Department of Defense personnel should plan to come to work next week, as scheduled, at their normal place and time.”
These two statements represent the first time that military leaders have verified that military pay could be affected by the government debt impasse. Thousands of military families, including the families of deployed service members, live paycheck-to-paycheck and late pay will create very real disasters for these families.
Many military banks are offering their customers interest-free advances on at least the first missed active duty paycheck. Many banks are also planning strategies for other customers who receive federal benefits.
I will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
This post is cross-posted at The Paycheck Chronicles.
About She of the Sea
Comments
Earlier this year when this happened I was confident that my family would be okay. We had a little in reserve and thought there would definitely be a bill enacted by now to prevent this. After a family emergency this summer our meager savings are wiped out and we are back being 1 paycheck away from disaster.
My husband works hard. He earns his pay and should receive it. I don't want an interest free advance from our bank. I want him to get the pay he worked for. That is what's right.
the military pays on the 1st. of the month. before 2Aug2011…
Yes, John, you are correct. July end-of-month pay is due on 1 August, though many service members have already had their funds released because of their bank's early release policies. This information applies to the August pays. The August mid-month pay is due to be released on 15 August, though of course DFAS and the banks must have a little bit of time to calculate and process those payments.
I understand that but life continues past August 1st. What then?
The Military is paid no matter what, fear tactics are political maneuvers. The Federal governments main responsibility is defending the United States from foreign and domestic enemies. Appears to be a fox in the henhouse! When did Progressives become Socialists?
This is why I'm so glad I found a job near our base and have my own income to carry us through if necessary. Maybe ten years ago the military was the safest (job security and paycheck wise) path of employment, but it's clear that our politicians will pull the rug out from under us in a heartbeat if it's convenient for them.
I just don’t understand why can’t they take care of this problem and stop acting like children,,,the military has no reason at all going through this crazy crises that’s going on,,,its no reason they half to keep worrying
about if they are going to get paid are not,,,and that goes for the retireies as well,,,,they put there name on that line to defend our country and they have been doing that and still fighten to make sure that our country and families wouldn’t half to,,,and they do this to them,what Is wrong with you all..
Where on earth did you go to school? Your punctuation is attrotious and you have made new words because of your ineptness in spelling.
Now to the real issues, military payment. There are those who believe that military is way overpaid. I've been in Enlisted and Officer houses on Ft Leavenworth and I never saw less that 75 Longaberger baskets in any of the 250+ houses I entered. There is no way that anyone buying Longaberger should be b*tching about payroll. Also, what about duty, honor, country? Obviously that message is long lost in today's military mindset. Just give me my damn paycheck. Right on, right on, right on
Where is the duty, honor, and country mindset of the lawmakers who are trying to shortchange the troops. Nothing is given to anyone. These men and women earn their pay and can spend it on whatever they please just like anyone else. Has it occurred to you that a persons obligations may extend well beyond their home furnishings. I don't know what generation you come from but in mine you get what you pay for. JUST GIVE ME MY DAMN PAYCHECK.
Military is definitely not over paid, we live pay check to pay check hoping we have enough till the next. And what you are judging off of has nothing to do with military or not. Some people save a little at a time to get things they want,just like any normal person. And what any one person in the military is paid,varies due to rank,if there are Dependants. Also if you live on base,you get paid less,since your housing is paid for basically. But others,like myself live off base,so they give a little extra to help with housing (BAH). And until you or someone close to you is in the military and realize how stressful it is day by day,you will NEVER understand our lives.
Also how do you know that they weren’t sales reps for the company? We have tons of different people here who host all types of parties as sales reps for companies. Its an easy way forbid wives to meet other people in the area and make a little extra cash.
For us*