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Updated 7 October 2013: 15 October 2013 Military Pay Coming
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You know when you go to sleep, and you wake up and something big has happened? That's how I am feeling right now. When I went to bed, I felt pretty certain that the military would be paid on 15 October 2013 and that the next big concern was the 1 November 2013 paycheck. Now, it seems that there is doubt about the 15 October paycheck as well.
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) has posted the following information on their website:
During the government shutdown, the Department of Defense will have no legal authority to pay any personnel - military or civilian - for the days during which the government is shut down. The shutdown will not affect payments to retirees and annuitants as those funds come from a retirement trust fund. Below is the effect the government shutdown will have on active duty military, civilian personnel, retirees and annuitants, and DoD contractors.
This is the first paragraph of a page which also includes:
Attention: We are aware the President has signed the "Pay Our Military Act." We are awaiting further guidance from the Department of Defense to ensure we accurately implement all elements of the Act. We will update you with additional information as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience.
The announcement then includes specific information for military, civilian, retirees, and contractors. While there is no new information for civilians, retirees, or contractors, this is big news for the military. Apparently, this press release has been up for several days but it has been updated regularly.
At Military Spouse Magazine, Rebekah Sanderlin offers this information gleaned from a conversation with a DFAS official:
the Pay Our Military Act (POMA) would indeed be implemented and that service members will receive their mid-month pay checks. Part of the problem, the official said, is that the POMA is poorly worded and has proven difficult for the Secretary to Defense to implement. Currently the Secretary of Defense’s office — those employees who were not furloughed, that is — are working to interpret the POMA so that they law will be followed and implemented as quickly as possible and with minimal disturbance to the fighting forces.
As always, I want to remain optimistic but I also want you to start thinking ahead. We are in an unprecedented situation here, so no one really knows exactly what is going to happen. Keep informed!
