It's a Tuesday night. You're scrolling through the news, and there it is again. Another headline about a looming "fiscal cliff" or a "continuing resolution" that didn't pass. If you're wearing a uniform—or if you're married to someone who is—your stomach probably just did a backflip. The question hits immediately: If the government shuts down does the military get paid?
The short answer is: Not necessarily.
Honestly, it’s a mess. Most people assume that because the military is "essential," the money just keeps flowing. That is a dangerous assumption to make. While the troops keep working—because, let’s be real, the front lines don't just close for a holiday—their bank accounts might not reflect that effort until Congress gets its act together.
The Logistics of a Pay Freeze
When the clock strikes midnight and the federal government technically "shuts down," it means that the legal authority for agencies to spend money has evaporated. The Department of Defense (DoD) is a massive machine. It relies on annual appropriations. Without a signed budget or a specific "funding gap" bill, the government literally cannot legally issue paychecks.
You’ll still be at your post. You’ll still be standing watch, flying sorties, or fixing humvees. But that direct deposit on the 1st or the 15th? It might not show up.
Historically, this has played out in a few different ways. Take the 2013 shutdown, for instance. Back then, Congress actually passed a last-minute piece of legislation called the Pay Our Military Act. It was a rare moment of bipartisan panic. They realized that letting 1.3 million active-duty members go without pay while they were deployed in combat zones was a political nightmare. So, they carved out a special exception.
But here is the catch: that was a one-time fix.
There is no standing law that says the military always gets paid during a shutdown. Every single time a shutdown looms, it’s a brand new gamble. If Congress doesn't pass a specific bill to protect military pay, the money stops. It stays stopped until the shutdown ends. Once the government reopens, you get back pay for every cent you’re owed. But try telling that to your landlord or your car loan provider when the 1st of the month rolls around and your balance is $0.04.
Essential vs. Non-Essential: The Great Misconception
We use the word "essential" a lot in government speak. In a shutdown, active-duty service members are almost always classified as "exempted" or "excepted." This sounds like a good thing, right?
It's actually a bit of a double-edged sword.
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Being "excepted" means you have to work. You don't have a choice. You are required to report for duty to protect national security. However, being "excepted" does not mean you are "excepted" from the lack of funding. You are working on the promise of a paycheck later.
Civilian employees at the DoD have it even weirder. Thousands of them get furloughed immediately. They’re told to stay home. They can’t check their email. They can’t do a lick of work. Then there are the "excepted" civilians—like certain medical personnel or police on base—who have to show up just like the active-duty folks, also with no guarantee of a timely paycheck.
What Happens to Allowances and Bonuses?
If the government shuts down does the military get paid their BAH and BAS? This is where it gets even crunchier for families living off-base.
Your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) are part of your "pay and allowances." They are tied to the same funding pot as your base pay. If the paychecks stop, the allowances stop too.
Think about that for a second.
For a junior enlisted family in a high-cost area like San Diego or Oahu, BAH isn't just a "bonus." It is 40% or more of their monthly income. If that disappears for three weeks, things get dire. Fast.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) and Travel
If you’re in the middle of a move when the shutdown hits, things get incredibly complicated.
- Scheduled Moves: Most "non-essential" PCS moves are halted. If you haven't cleared housing yet, you stay put.
- Moves in Progress: If you’re already on the road, the military usually tries to get you to your destination, but getting reimbursed for your travel claims (those TLE and mileage checks) will likely be delayed until the government reopens.
- TDY: Temporary Duty travel is almost always cancelled immediately unless it’s directly related to a mission-critical operation or national security.
The Role of Military Relief Societies
When the political gridlock in D.C. hits the fan, the military community usually ends up leaning on its own. Organizations like the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), Army Emergency Relief (AER), and the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) become the frontline defense.
During previous shutdowns, these non-profits have stepped up to offer interest-free loans specifically to cover the gap in pay. They know the stress. They see the young E-4 with two kids who can't buy groceries.
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It’s amazing that they exist, but it’s honestly a bit frustrating that they have to.
Banks and Credit Unions
Financial institutions that cater to the military—think USAA and Navy Federal Credit Union—have a history of being "the good guys" during these crises. In the past, both have offered programs where they would effectively "front" your paycheck.
Basically, if you have direct deposit set up with them, they’ll credit your account with your expected pay amount, and then when the government finally pays you back, the bank takes the reimbursement.
But don't take this for granted.
You have to check their specific policy this time. They aren't legally required to do this. It’s a courtesy. Usually, they require you to have had a direct deposit with them for a certain amount of time to qualify. If you just switched banks, you might be out of luck.
Why This Keeps Happening
You might be wondering why this is even a thing. Why is military pay a bargaining chip?
It’s politics at its most cynical. Budgeting in Washington has largely moved away from "regular order." Instead of passing twelve separate appropriation bills, Congress often relies on "Continuing Resolutions" (CRs). These are temporary Band-Aids. When they can't even agree on a Band-Aid, the "antideficiency act" kicks in, which forbids the government from spending money it doesn't have.
There have been attempts to pass the Pay Our Military Act as a permanent law. The idea is simple: if the government shuts down, military pay is automatically funded. It seems like a no-brainer. Yet, it often gets stalled because politicians want to keep the pressure on the other side. If the military is getting paid, some argue there is less "urgency" to end the shutdown.
It's a high-stakes game of chicken played with the lives of people who actually do the work.
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Surprising Things That DON’T Stop
Surprisingly, not everything goes dark.
- Retiree Pay: If you’re retired, your pay usually comes from a different pot of money (the Military Retirement Fund). This fund is typically "actuarially sound," meaning it has its own reserves. Retirees usually get paid even if active-duty members don't.
- VA Benefits: Most VA benefits, including disability compensation and GI Bill payments, are funded a year in advance. They are usually safe from short-term shutdowns.
- Death Gratuities: This is the darkest part. In some past shutdowns, the "death gratuity"—the payment made to families of fallen service members—was actually suspended. It caused a massive public outcry. Now, there are usually measures in place to ensure charities or special provisions cover this, but the fact that it was ever an issue is staggering.
Tactical Financial Steps for Service Members
So, what do you actually do when the news starts talking about a shutdown? You can't control Congress, but you can control your own kitchen table.
First, stop all non-essential spending. If a shutdown is even a 20% possibility, cancel the steak dinner. Hold off on buying those new tires if the old ones have another 1,000 miles in them.
Second, call your creditors early. Don't wait until the payment is late. Call your mortgage company, your car loan servicer, and your credit card issuer. Tell them: "I am active-duty military. There is a potential government shutdown. My pay may be delayed." Most major lenders have "hardship" programs for this exact scenario. They’d rather work with you than go through a foreclosure process during a national news event.
Third, verify your bank's stance. Log in to Navy Fed, USAA, or whatever credit union you use. Look for their "Shutdown Assistance" page. If they offer a 0% interest loan or a pay advance, know the steps to trigger it. Sometimes you have to "opt-in."
Fourth, keep your paperwork. If you are working without pay, keep a meticulous record of your hours and any orders you receive. When the government reopens, there is often a rush to process back pay. Having your LES (Leave and Earnings Statement) and orders ready makes it easier to spot errors.
The Bottom Line
The question of whether the military gets paid during a shutdown is ultimately a question of political will. Technically, the law says "no." But the political fallout of "no" is so high that Congress usually tries to find a workaround.
Usually.
But "usually" doesn't pay the electric bill. Relying on a last-minute miracle from D.C. is not a financial plan. The reality is that if the government shuts down, your paycheck is at risk, and the only person who can truly protect your family's finances is you.
- Build a "Shutdown Starter" Emergency Fund: Aim for at least one full month of base pay in a high-yield savings account that is separate from your daily spending.
- Review the SCRA: The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act provides certain protections, but it doesn't necessarily stop a private company from being difficult during a short-term pay gap.
- Stay Informed via Official Channels: Ignore the "dependa-groups" on Facebook for a second and check the official DoD Comptroller website or your branch's official news service for the most accurate "excepted" status updates.
- Check with your Command Financial Specialist: Every unit has one. They have direct lines to the relief societies and can help you navigate the paperwork for emergency grants if things get truly desperate.
Preparation is the only way to turn a potential crisis into a mere inconvenience. Don't wait for the midnight deadline to figure out your plan.