WASHINGTON (AP) — The ongoing government shutdown is exacting a heavy mental toll on the nation’s military families, leaving them uncertain about their paychecks week to week.
Alicia Blevins, whose husband is a Marine, shared her struggles. I don’t feel like I have the tools to deal with this, said Blevins, 33, who resides at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. I don’t want to dump all this on my husband. He has enough to deal with.
Despite the Trump administration's efforts to ensure troop payments since the shutdown began on October 1, anxiety remains paramount among service members and their families. Just four days before the scheduled pay on October 15, President Trump directed the Pentagon to utilize all available funds to pay troops, causing further stress as this process unfolded each month.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently warned that the government may soon run out of ways to compensate military personnel, with a critical deadline approaching on November 15 when payments for troops may cease altogether.
‘We’re not being thought of at all’
While military families express feelings of resentment regarding how they are perceived in the political chess game, many argue they feel utterly disregarded. Jennifer Bittner, the wife of an Army officer, voiced her frustration, stating, You have to be thought of to be used as a pawn. And we’re not being thought of at all.
With rising medical bills for her children and financial worries about housing and groceries, Bittner pointed out that many active duty families are living paycheck to paycheck. The recent delays in paychecks further exacerbated pre-existing financial strains.
Reservists Affected
Reservists are also feeling the pinch, as monthly weekend drills have been canceled, meaning they lose out on essential pay, which is often used to cover health insurance premiums and other expenses. Advocacy groups are calling on Congress to expedite pay measures for the National Guard and reservists.
In light of the ongoing difficulties prompted by the shutdown, the Military Family Advisory Network initiated an emergency grocery support program after discovering that 50,000 military families signed up for help within just 72 hours. This initiative has provided families with essential food supplies during this uncertain time.
Blevins and her husband have also benefited from such programs, though they continue to face the daunting uncertainty of future pay. We’re constantly checking the news, and my Facebook feed is nothing but blame for one party or the other. Can’t we just get off this blame game and get this taken care of?” she expressed.
