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SALT LAKE CITY -- Many government employees have received instructions from their employers, telling them how to proceed if the government shuts down before it can reach a budget agreement. Some of those are members of the military stationed here in Utah.
For military families, their next paycheck would be cut by half if the government closes. The one after that might not come at all, although Defense Secretary Robert Gates assured troops Thursday that they would get paid eventually for all their work.
"Already, the way the economy is going, you can't miss a couple of days' (pay) — the binds that puts on a family and bills," said Technical Sgt. Kelly Collett with the Utah Air National Guard. "It makes it difficult. It's kind of a scary situation."
Collett's wife, Sandi, was more pointed in her concerns. "Why aren't the people who we elected doing what's right for their citizens and those who are serving their country? They're going home with a paycheck. They're going home being able to cover their bills, wants and needs."
A possible government shutdown is coming at a really bad time for Collett. "I'm getting ready to leave for about six weeks to go to school," he said. "That's kind of put on hold right now, and that's something that if I don't make it to I'll (face) the possibility of losing a stripe."
Collett serves in the Utah Air National Guard and is supposed start that training course Monday. But other duties are also pending as the government leaders squabble over what do to do.
"We have drill this weekend and people traveling from Pennsylvania that are already on the way out here. To find out they won't get paid for the weekend" would be devastating, he said.
Related
How would a government shutdown affect Utah?
A potential government shutdown is creating a lot of concern around the country. It's happened before, and it may happen again. For many in Utah the question is, How will this affect us locally?Another soldier spoke with KSL and said that more than being concerned, he feels helpless. His is a one-income household, so if the money isn't coming in, it will put he and his family in a tough situation.
"Most people don't even know what's going on till it starts to affect them, you know, financially," said the soldier. KSL is keeping his identity anonymous, only referring to him as "R."
As the clock counts down to midnight on Friday, his worries are increasing.
For the military, support personnel at Hill Air Force Base, Army Depot and with the National Guard would still be on the job. Should the government go into shutdown mode, R has been told to prepare to go to work anyway -- whether he's getting paid for it or not.
But when you're living paycheck-to-paycheck, he says that's scary.
"The part that concerns me most is not being able to take care of my family," R said.
During the shutdown, all military personnel -- whether stateside or abroad -- will see their pay affected. An email sent to military families explained that once a settlement is reached, soldiers will be paid retroactively.
"If they're serving overseas there may be what they call a hiccup in their pay. It may be delayed, but they will get their pay," said Hank McIntire with the Utah National Guard. "It could be a temporary inconvenience to them, but it's the uncertainty is what really creates difficulty for people."
Meanwhile, these soldiers' hopes -- and paychecks -- are in the hands of lawmakers across the country.
"I think both parties, Republican and Democrat, need to put their political and personal agenda or motives aside and really do what is best for the country," R said.
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Story written with contributions from Jennifer Stagg and Amy Joi O'Donoghue.
