TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Civilian Reserve Citizen Airmen in the 507th Air Refueling Wing here were furloughed Jan. 22, due to a lapse in appropriations, except for the minimum number necessary to accomplish excepted activities that are essential to national security and safety.
Excepted members received notification through their chain of command.
Most Air Reserve Technicians were excepted from the furlough to support our national security, meaning most ARTs are expected to report to work as usual and continue to support the mission. ARTs were notified by the chain of command if they were furloughed.
“We understand that a furlough is distressing to our civilian teammates,” Col. Douglas Gullion, 507th ARW commander said. “Please continue to be good wingmen and help each other through these uncertain times.”
According to AFRC, a lack of a budget or continuing resolution will force another furlough and will create serious uncertainty and will have severe and disruptive financial effect on an already stressed workforce of thousands of civilian Reserve Citizen Airmen.
Military and civilian Reserve Citizen Airmen will not receive pay for work performed after Jan. 19 until an appropriation or CR is passed. In the event of a financial hardship, military and civilian Reserve Citizen Airmen experiencing financial difficulties should notify their supervisor, first sergeant and commander who can provide information on financial aid organizations. Here are a few links: Military One Source, Tinker Airman and Family Readiness Center, and the Air Force Aid Society.
Congressional actions will determine if retroactive pay will be provided for furloughed employees – there is no guarantee of back pay.
There are exceptions from the furlough, and excepted members will receive notification through their respective chain of command.
Group leadership will issue letters to employees subject to the furlough with instructions on what to expect and procedures for returning to work once the shutdown ends. If you are furloughed, stay up to date with the news. Your leadership will contact you on when to return to work. Updates will be posted on Facebook and Twitter.
The impact to pay for military and Department of Defense civilian Reserve Citizen Airmen is a complicated issue. Here are some general facts:
- Military and non-furloughed civilian Reserve Citizen Airmen (those who are excepted because they are performing work that, by law, may continue during a lapse in appropriations) will continue to work and will continue to earn pay for the period of the shutdown but will not receive it until Congress provides appropriations.
- Specific Congressional action is necessary to pay Reserve Citizen Airmen retroactively.
- Furloughed civilian Reserve Citizen Airmen would receive back pay only if specifically appropriated by Congress.
- The Air Force Reserve may not accept the voluntary services of a furloughed civilian Reserve Citizen Airmen.
If you have any questions, please contact your supervisor for more guidance.