The federal government’s partial shutdown is finally over, and the U.S. Coast Guard is working overtime to get missed paychecks out to its employees— both active-duty and civilian.
In a letter addressed to “The Men and Women of the United States Coast Guard,” USCG’s Vice Commandant, Admiral Charles W. Ray, says leaders will change the regular payment process to get paychecks out to the military and civilian workforce quickly:
“It is our top priority to ensure that all pay is available as soon as possible,” he writes. “In our effort,… we are not following our typical process.”
He notes that the Coast Guard planned to work through the weekend to make that happen.
The Vice Commandant says USCG hopes to have all missed paychecks out by January 31.
Furloughed civilians who work for the Coast Guard will return to work Monday.
“I continue to be amazed and inspired by your dedicated service. We are truly strongest when we have our entire total mission ready workforce together,” writes Admiral Ray.
The partial shutdown lasted 35 days, the most in U.S. government history. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Karl Schultz said it was the only time a branch of the U.S. military missed a pay period due to a government “lapse in appropriation.”
-Meg Walburn Viviano
