October 1, 2025policy changedefense policymilitary compensationfederal appropriationsmilitarynational securityfederal appropriations
1.3 Million National Guard and Reserve Members Work Without Pay in Shutdown
Approximately 1.3 million National Guard and Reserve service members were ordered to continue performing duties during the October 2025 government shutdown without receiving regular pay. Unlike active-duty troops, many Guard and Reserve members faced immediate financial hardship because they lacked the cash reserves of career military personnel. Congress scrambled to find emergency pay mechanisms as the shutdown extended past its first week.