1.3 million service members work without pay during shutdown

The government shutdown on Oct. 1, 2025, stopped paychecks for approximately 1.3 million active duty military and federally-activated NGNational Guard members. A Defense Department memo dated Sep. 30 informed service members they would not be paid after that date until Congress approves funding. Department of Defense guidance stated that Guard members must continue reporting for duty, conducting training, and preparing to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal personnel enforcing federal law and protecting federal property.

As of Oct. 1, several thousand NGNational Guard members were federally activated for deployments across multiple states including Washington 🏛️DC, 🌲Oregon, and 🌴California. Trump activated Guard members under federal authority for immigration enforcement and federal property protection. All federally-funded troops continued working without immediate pay until Trump announced on Oct. 11 that the Pentagon would use $8 billion in unobligated research and development funds to issue Oct. 15 paychecks.

Federal law requires back pay for all furloughed and working federal employees after shutdowns end. The military personnel, including federally-activated guard members, receive full back pay once appropriations resume. However, the troops face immediate financial hardship during payment lapses. Many military families live paycheck to paycheck. The credit card bills, rent, and other obligations do not pause during shutdowns. The food banks near military bases see increased demand during shutdown periods.

Trump has deployed the National Guard to multiple states under federal authority for immigration enforcement since Jan. 2025. The 🏛️DC deployment reached over 2,200 troops. The 🌲Oregon and 🌴California deployments continued immigration operations. The federal activation means that the Pentagon pays and controls the guard members, unlike state activations that are paid by governors. The federal deployments for domestic law enforcement missions raised constitutional questions before the shutdown.

The previous shutdown in Dec. 2018-Jan. 2019 also stopped military pay. That shutdown lasted 35 days, creating financial emergencies for military families. The banks and military relief organizations provided emergency loans. The 2025 shutdown could last longer based on the current political stalemate. Some guard members who are deployed for immigration enforcement may face weeks without paychecks.

The NGNational Guard members serve part-time alongside civilian jobs when not activated. The federal activation disrupts their civilian employment. Many took unpaid leave from civilian jobs for federal deployments. The shutdown means no military or civilian income for the duration. Their families bear the double financial burden of lost wages and deployment expenses.

The Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated on Oct. 7 that 'his assumption is furloughed workers will get back pay.' However, this requires congressional action after the shutdown ends. The working military members always receive back pay under federal law. The distinction between an assumption for furloughed civilians and a legal requirement for military matters for troop morale. The guard members continue enforcement duties despite payment uncertainty.