Despite limiting operations amid the federal government shutdown, Missouri’s adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Steve Danner, said the state’s 11,500 Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen will remain mission-ready.
“Under all circumstances, including this government shutdown, the Missouri National Guard is prepared and able to respond to state emergency missions as ordered by Gov. Jay Nixon,” Danner said in a press release.
The Guard has already begun limited operations and is conducting an orderly shutdown of non-excepted activities. Missouri Army and Air National Guard units are delaying their drills until after the shutdown, and will reschedule them at the commander’s discretion.
The Missouri National Guard has a federal technician workforce of approximately 1,400. Approximately 70 percent will be furloughed — about 980 employees — while 30 percent will be considered excepted and will work through the shutdown.
The Guard says more than 450 of its citizen-soldiers and airmen are deployed overseas and will not be affected by the government shutdown. The 175 soldiers and airmen training in preparations for overseas deployment will continue to train and prepare.
“Once a continuing resolution or budget is passed, the Missouri National Guard will resume normal operations,” the press release states.
The Guard encourages families facing difficulties because of the shutdown to visit www.NationalGuard.mil, where there is a “Resources list for support” in the “Government Shutdown” tab.
Resources are available for any National Guard Families facing difficulties as a result of the shutdown at NationalGuard.mil. Click on “Government Shutdown,” and click on “Resources list for support” on the bottom right of the page.
