If there is a government shutdown, active duty service members would stay on the job, because DOD “must continue operations necessary for the safety of human life or the protection of property,” Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks wrote in a memo this week that outlines the department’s contingency plans.
Here is some of what’s included in the memo:
- Active duty service members would stay on the job.
- About 357,000 civilian workers would continue carrying out essential activities, with 429,000 others furloughed.
- No uniformed or civilian workers would be paid until appropriations are approved again.
- Contractors would continue work on any contracts awarded before the spending lapse.
- Some PCS moves would be postponed.
- Most duty travel and conference participation would be suspended.
- DOD schools would continue regular activities, but extracurricular activities would be suspended unless they are paid for exclusively through non-appropriated sources.
- Essential Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities, such as mess hall operation and child care services, would continue.
- Community and public outreach programming would be suspended.
- Most DOD medical and dental facilities would remain open, but hours and personnel may change. Elective procedures would be suspended.
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DOD photo by EJ Hersom
