Will the military get paid on the 15th: Government shutdown,coast guard,troops,reddit

During every U.S. government shutdown, one question becomes a matter of real urgency for thousands of service members and their families: Will the military get paid on the 15th? The answer is never simple, especially when politics, budget laws, and emergency measures intertwine.

As the current government shutdown stretches on, military families across the country anxiously await confirmation of whether their mid-month paychecks will arrive on time. In 2025, this debate has once again resurfaced, forcing the administration, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to find creative ways to ensure America’s troops and Coast Guard personnel are paid.

This article explores how military pay works, what happens during a shutdown, the special case of the Coast Guard, legal challenges to emergency funding, what history shows from past shutdowns, and how online communities like Reddit are responding to the latest developments.

Understanding How Military Pay Works

The Regular Pay Cycle

Active-duty military members receive pay twice a month — on the 1st and the 15th. These payments are processed by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), which relies on funds appropriated annually by Congress through the Department of Defense budget.

If Congress passes a continuing resolution or full budget, military pay proceeds as normal. However, if appropriations lapse, DFAS cannot legally process payments unless specific exceptions or alternative funding sources are authorized.

The Impact of a Shutdown

When the federal government experiences a funding lapse — commonly known as a shutdown — non-essential services and personnel are furloughed. Essential workers, including most active-duty military members, must continue working but face uncertainty about when they’ll be paid.

This situation arises because of the Anti-Deficiency Act, which prohibits the government from spending or obligating funds that have not been appropriated. Without new budget authority from Congress, agencies cannot legally disburse salaries, even to essential personnel.

The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act

Passed in 2019, the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act (GEFTA) guarantees retroactive pay for federal workers and military personnel once a shutdown ends. This means service members will eventually receive the money they earned, even if paychecks are delayed. However, GEFTA does not guarantee timely payment — only eventual reimbursement once appropriations resume.

The 2025 Shutdown: What’s Different This Time

The Immediate Concern

As of October 2025, the United States is in another government shutdown due to Congress’s failure to pass a continuing resolution. That has led to widespread concern about whether troops will receive their scheduled October 15 paycheck.

In past shutdowns, Congress occasionally passed emergency legislation, such as the “Pay Our Military Act,” to ensure that military pay continued uninterrupted. This time, however, no such law was passed before the shutdown began, leaving the issue in limbo.

The Administration’s Response

Facing mounting pressure from military families, the White House and Pentagon announced that they had located unobligated funds — money previously appropriated but not yet spent — within research and development (R&D) accounts. Approximately $8 billion has been identified and redirected temporarily to cover payroll for the mid-month pay cycle.

This creative maneuver is designed to ensure that active-duty personnel, reservists, and Coast Guard members receive their paychecks on or around October 15, despite the ongoing shutdown.

Will the Military Actually Get Paid?

Based on current government statements, yes, service members are expected to be paid for the October 15 period. However, the process is not without complications.

1. Possible Delays:
   Some payroll employees at DFAS are furloughed, meaning paycheck processing might take longer. Deposits could arrive a day or two late.

2. Short-Term Fix:
   The redirected funds may only cover this one pay period. If the shutdown continues, there is no guarantee that pay for November 1 or November 15 will be processed without new funding.

3. Legal Risks:
   Redirecting R&D funds to cover payroll pushes the boundaries of the Anti-Deficiency Act. Legal experts warn that it could spark controversy over whether such actions are authorized by law.

Despite these uncertainties, the administration insists that all active-duty troops, reservists, and Coast Guard personnel will receive their mid-month pay.

The Coast Guard: A Special Case

Why the Coast Guard Is Unique

Unlike the other branches of the military, the Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security, not the Department of Defense. That distinction has major consequences during shutdowns.

In previous shutdowns, DoD funding was secured through separate defense bills, meaning the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines continued receiving pay. The Coast Guard, however, was left out — and during the 2018–2019 shutdown, members went 35 days without pay.

The 2025 Commitment

Learning from past mistakes, DHS and Coast Guard leadership confirmed that Coast Guard service members will be paid between October 15 and 17. This ensures that personnel conducting vital missions — from search and rescue to national security operations — are not forced to work unpaid as they were in 2019.

While this is welcome news for Coast Guard families, officials admit that if the shutdown continues past late October, funding challenges could re-emerge.

Legal and Financial Implications

The Anti-Deficiency Act

This foundational law prohibits any federal agency from spending money that Congress hasn’t appropriated. It prevents executive overreach but also complicates emergency pay solutions during shutdowns.

Using unspent R&D funds for payroll can test the limits of this law. Generally, R&D money is intended for multi-year projects, not salaries. However, the government may justify this redirection as a temporary reprogramming within authorized budget categories.

Reprogramming and Oversight

The Department of Defense can sometimes move funds between accounts under limited transfer authority, but these actions require notification to Congress. In a shutdown, congressional oversight is limited, raising questions about whether these emergency actions comply fully with budget law.

Critics argue that while paying troops is essential, this workaround could set a dangerous precedent for bypassing congressional power over the purse. Supporters counter that the government has a moral and national-security obligation to pay its armed forces, regardless of political gridlock.

Historical Context: Lessons from Past Shutdowns

The 2018–2019 Shutdown

The longest shutdown in U.S. history lasted 35 days, from December 2018 to January 2019. During that time, most military branches continued receiving pay because the defense budget had already been passed. The Coast Guard, however, was not included and became the first branch of the military in U.S. history to miss paychecks during a funding lapse.

Many Coast Guard families relied on savings, food banks, and emergency relief organizations like Navy Federal Credit Union and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance. The episode highlighted how vulnerable certain parts of the armed forces are to political stalemates.

Earlier Shutdowns and Legislative Fixes

In earlier shutdowns, such as those in 2013 and 1995, Congress passed temporary measures like the “Pay Our Military Act” to ensure troops were paid regardless of political impasse.

These historical precedents show that while the government often finds a way to pay military personnel, the process is rarely smooth, and service members often endure weeks of anxiety before funds are released.

Reactions from Military Families and Online Communities

The Reddit Discussions

Across Reddit communities such as r/Military, r/army, and r/uscg, thousands of posts and comments have surfaced in recent weeks. Many users express frustration that troops are being used as bargaining chips in political disputes.

Common themes include:

• Anxiety and Uncertainty:
  Service members worry that promises of pay will fall through, especially if the shutdown drags on. Some Redditors note that “nobody really knows until the deposits hit.”

• Coast Guard Frustration:
  Posts from Coast Guard members recall the pain of 2019, when families missed multiple paychecks. One user wrote, “We were forgotten once before. It’s hard to trust promises until the money’s in the bank.”

• Relief Organizations:
  Others discuss applying for support from military relief societies or taking advantage of no-interest payday loans offered by USAA or Navy Federal Credit Union.

• Skepticism About Future Pay:
  Even with assurances for October 15, many posts question whether end-of-month or November pay will still go through if Congress remains deadlocked.

The Emotional Toll

Beyond finances, the psychological strain of shutdown uncertainty weighs heavily on service members and families. For many, the military paycheck is not just a salary — it represents stability and commitment from the government they serve.

Spouses report sleepless nights, budgeting stress, and anger that their families’ livelihoods are tied to political brinkmanship. The message from most online discussions is clear: the system should never again allow those defending the nation to worry about their next paycheck.

What Military Families Can Do During a Shutdown

Even though the mid-October paychecks appear secure, military families are encouraged to take proactive steps in case of future delays.

1. Maintain an Emergency Fund

Whenever possible, keep a small buffer for essential expenses such as rent, food, and utilities. Even one missed paycheck can cause cascading financial stress.

2. Contact Financial Institutions

Many banks and credit unions offer temporary assistance during government shutdowns. For instance, some military-focused banks provide zero-interest advances to cover missed pay until funds resume.

3. Use Military Relief Agencies

Organizations like the Army Emergency Relief, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Air Force Aid Society, and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance provide emergency grants or interest-free loans to active-duty members experiencing hardship.

4. Prioritize Essential Payments

If cash flow becomes tight, focus first on necessities such as housing, utilities, and food. Contact lenders and landlords early to explain the situation and negotiate temporary flexibility.

5. Stay Informed Through Official Channels

Always verify pay and shutdown updates through official DoD, DFAS, and Coast Guard communication channels. Rumors on social media can spread quickly, so rely on government announcements when available.

6. Track All Financial Impacts

If your pay is delayed, keep documentation of bank statements, missed payments, and hardship correspondence. This can help later if you need assistance or reimbursement for late fees.

Analysis: The Real Answer to “Will the Military Get Paid on the 15th?”

Based on the available information, the best assessment is as follows:

• Yes, most troops and Coast Guard members will be paid on or around October 15. The administration has secured temporary funding through unused accounts to cover payroll.

• Some delays are possible due to furloughed payroll staff and administrative backlogs.

• Future pay remains uncertain if the shutdown persists without a continuing resolution or new budget.

• Retroactive pay is guaranteed under current law, meaning even if future paychecks are delayed, all earned wages must eventually be paid in full.

• The Coast Guard appears protected for now, though its funding source differs from DoD branches and could face renewed risk in a prolonged shutdown.

• Legal challenges are unlikely to interrupt this pay period, but questions about the legality of using R&D funds could surface later.

In short, while the 15th-of-the-month paycheck should go through, there’s no long-term guarantee for subsequent pay periods without congressional action.

The Broader Picture: Morale, Trust, and National Security

A government shutdown that threatens military pay does more than strain personal budgets — it affects morale and public trust. Service members already shoulder immense responsibilities, from global deployments to humanitarian missions. Asking them to work without guaranteed pay undermines both morale and recruitment.

The symbolic importance of ensuring troops are paid cannot be overstated. It demonstrates that the nation values their service, even amid political chaos. When lawmakers fail to act, it sends the opposite message — that those defending the country are expendable bargaining tools.

In the long term, many experts argue that Congress should make military pay automatically appropriated, similar to entitlement programs like Social Security. This would prevent future shutdowns from threatening military pay altogether.

Conclusion

So, will the military get paid on the 15th?

The answer is yes — most likely. Thanks to emergency measures and redirected funds, troops and Coast Guard members are expected to see their October 15 pay hit their accounts, although some deposits may arrive late.

Still, this solution is temporary. If the shutdown continues, the next pay period may again hang in the balance. History shows that while the government eventually pays its service members, the uncertainty and stress of each shutdown inflict real harm on families who already sacrifice so much.

The situation underscores a larger truth: America’s defenders deserve financial stability and assurance that their pay will never depend on political gridlock. Until Congress acts to make military pay immune to shutdowns, the question — “Will the military get paid on the 15th?” — will continue to resurface, every time Washington stalls.