If Government Shuts Down, most Reserve Drills Cancelled

Only “excepted" military operations will be allowed to continue to drill

By Jenny Swigoda

ROA, Content Manager

With the threat of a possible government shutdown looming, a senior defense official outlined consequences for members of the Reserve and Guard in a conference call on Friday, Sept. 27. Only those units in an inactive duty for training status who are on the ramp for activation for “excepted” military operations (i.e. Afghanistan) will be allowed to continue to drill.

“We are reflecting the law and the interpretation of it, this is not based on policy,” said the senior defense official.

The official stated that retirees will continue to receive pay as those funds are appropriated through a trust fund. Delays in pay may occur if the shutdown goes beyond a couple of days.

Additionally, state commissaries will close and military health care centers will be restricted to life-threatening situations.

On the call, ROA’s Executive Director, Major General Andrew B. Davis, USMC (Ret.) expressed concern for the government shutdown and the possible affects it could have on the Reserve Component.

“As an association chartered to advocate for a strong national defense and a strong Reserve force, ROA urges Congress to avert a government shutdown. Specifically, curtailment of Reserve training from drill to annual training will severely degrade our nation’s defense readiness in a world that is still very dangerous. Reserve readiness is perishable. We will continue to monitor closely the continued delivery of retirement and health insurance benefits that has been assured by Defense officials,” said Maj Gen Davis.