‘Pay Our Military Act’ saves service members pay checks Published Oct. 2, 2013 By Senior Master Sgt. Kelley J. Stewart 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Lawmakers passed and the President signed a bill to continue paying service members Sept. 30 during the current government shutdown that began Oct. 1. This means members of the armed forces will continue receiving their paychecks instead of having to come to work and receive back pay once a budget is passed. According to the White House website, H.R. 3210, also known as the "Pay Our Military Act," would provide continuing appropriations for pay and allowances during any period for which interim or full-year appropriations for fiscal 2014 are not in effect. "This means Airmen will continue to receive base pay based on rank and years in service, basic allowance for housing, and basic allowance for subsistence," said Staff Sgt. Raul Olivry, 99th Comptroller Squadron NCOIC of customer service. Airmen who receive entitlements such as flight pay, hostile fire/imminent danger pay, hardship duty pay, and medical specialty pay, etc., should also see them reflected in their pay statements. Travel pay has been stopped because there is no funding, and Airmen could see a delay in the payment of travel vouchers as well. Travel funded under fiscal 2013 will not be affected by this stoppage. The Air Force Financial Center at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., will not process travel vouchers due the civilian furlough, but Defense Travel System vouchers for fiscal 2013 will be paid. According to the White House website, the "Pay Our Military Act" affects members of the armed forces, including Reserve component service members on active duty during this time, and civilian and contract employees who work for the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security whom the Secretaries determine are providing support to members of the armed forces. Editor's Note: Civilian employees will be paid Oct. 11 for all work performed through Sept. 30.
