Without bringing politics into it, what are soldiers contractually obligated to do if they aren't paid during the shut down?

2018-01-20T22:38:24-05:00

Response by SPC David Willis made Jan 20 at 2018 10:43 PM

2018-01-20T22:43:51-05:00

Also before I get blasted by people thinking I'm trying to be a barracks lawyer to avoid showing up to work I'm out now, and asking this question as an unimpacted yet interested third party.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 10:48 PM

2018-01-20T22:48:14-05:00

You must support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Nothing changed.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 11:15 PM

2018-01-20T23:15:36-05:00

Review Title 10 U.S.C. pay in the military is not required. The U.S. is an all volunteer force. Our benefits, to include your monthly pay, are provided through each years fiscal budget. The budget is signed making it a law with an expiration date. However, there is no long standing law in the U.S.C. or our constitution that requires the federal government to provide monetary funds to its service men and women. Read your contract...
DD Form 4/1
Section 9a(1) [You are] REQUIRED to obey all lawful orders and PERFORM ALL ASSIGNED DUTIES.
Section 9b. "Laws and regulations that govern military personnel MAY CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE to me. Such changes MAY AFFECT MY STATUS, PAY, ALLOWANCES, benefits, and responsibilities as a member of the Armed Forces REGARDLESS of the provisions of this enlistment/reenlistment document." Not sure what the Officer form/section is but certain it contains similar wording.
Bottom line is you are obligated to serve to the date on your most recent DD 4/1 section 8 or until your Military Service Obligation has been fulfilled, whichever occurs later. REGARDLESS, if you get paid or not.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 11:27 PM

2018-01-20T23:27:47-05:00

SPC David Willis Continue to serve their country.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Jan 20 at 2018 11:39 PM

2018-01-20T23:39:07-05:00

What they took an oath to do...this isn't the first shut down.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jan 21 at 2018 12:34 AM

2018-01-21T00:34:24-05:00

You are contractually (and morally imo) obligated to do every iota of everything you were before the shutdown.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 21 at 2018 2:08 AM

2018-01-21T02:08:54-05:00

I've lived through 17 of these things. More theater and media hype than it deserves. Things catch up one way or the other. Nothing in your contract says "no pay, no play" so you're obligated to follow the Plan of the Day like any other day. When you hit the ETS time frame, you can choose if you want to continue to live with the realities of life or do something else. I will tell you, job security is much more fickle in the commercial sector, so don't forget to count your blessings. This stuff isn't unusual and comes with the territory. The longest one I recall was about 5 weeks and the banks were allowing deferment of mortgage payments without penalty. They weren't required to, but think about it. Do they really want to pursue a huge pile of foreclosures? The sad part is how the MIL side is being weaponized in the DC Kabuki Theater. Tells you all the politicians care more about themselves and party politics than MILs or anybody/anything by a large margin. Never forget that.

Response by SGT David T. made Jan 22 at 2018 9:10 AM

2018-01-22T09:10:07-05:00

Everything you did before. Your contract doesn't have a stipulation regarding pay. You'll be paid for your work when the government opens back up.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 10:14 AM

2018-01-22T10:14:47-05:00

We are contractually obligated to work and to Charlie Mike

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jan 22 at 2018 10:35 AM

2018-01-22T10:35:23-05:00

Protect the American People and the Constitution. Putting the "selfless" in selfless service since 1775.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 22 at 2018 11:05 AM

2018-01-22T11:05:05-05:00

1. You live you to your oath of enlistment. 2. This bullshit as be around for a damn long time. 3. Politicians normally get of the 4th POC and fix it within 30 days, after they have grandstanded enough. 4. It sucks that it is about Party line and not doing the best for the entire country.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 1:15 PM

2018-01-22T13:15:34-05:00

Do all the things you did before the shutdown. Technically you are still getting paid, you just won't see the money in your paycheck on time if the SD extends beyond 1 Feb.
Simple analogy: Uncle Sam hired you, then ran out of money to pay you, so you just keep working and wait until Uncle Sam gets paid (ie. Congress gets off its collective arse and does its job), then he'll pay you the back pay you are owed.

That said-- if you don't have the savings to make it through until the end of the shutdown, most of the military friendly banks are offering what equates to an interest free payday loan (basically they give you the money you should have been paid on payday, then settle up when the back-pay kicks in) for the duration of the shutdown. You'd have to check with where your direct deposit is going to see if your bank offers something like that.