Hundreds of Nevada National Guardsmen and women are furloughed and continue to work without pay as the state and Nevada nonprofits have increasingly stepped up to support Soldiers and Airmen during the record-setting government shutdown.  

Government Shutdown by the numbers:

·      There are 455 dual-status technicians furlough or working without pay during the shutdown. Dual-Status Technicians (DSTs) are full time uniformed Guard members but are paid as federal civilian employees.

·      An additional 100 civilian employees are also furloughed or working without pay.

·      The shutdown also affects 174 federally funded state employees in the Nevada Office of the Military.

·      The federal government has diverted funds to pay active duty members of the military through the shutdown, including 563 Nevada National Guard Active Guard Reserve (AGR) members, but upcoming paychecks remain in doubt as the shutdown drags along.

·      In total, more than 500 members of the Nevada National Guard are furloughed and working without pay and more than 500 additional members are under threat of not receiving their next paycheck.

This Veterans Day, members of the Nevada National Guard Association also want to recognize state and private assistance provided to date.

·      Even though federal law states furloughed employees will receive back pay, more than 20 percent of the Nevada National Guardsmen and women without pay have applied for unemployment because of the uncertainty created by the shutdown and dire need to pay bills, according to data from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation and the Nevada National Guard J9 Warrior Support Services. Legislation passed in the U.S. Senate on Sunday evening includes back pay for furloughed and unpaid working federal employees. This unemployment benefit would have to be paid back through DETR if members are eventually paid, but it highlights the need of those who have gone without pay for nearly a month and a half. 

·      Additionally, several nonprofits have stepped up to assist, including the Nevada Military Support Alliance and the Nevada National Guard Association, which together donated funds for up to 96,000 meals for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and Three Square last week. The Katie Grace Foundation also donated nine pallets of supplies in Northern Nevada for members of the Nevada National Guard currently struggling without pay during the shutdown.

“During times like these — when those who have taken the oath to protect and serve our great state and nation, along with the veterans who have already done so, are facing hardship — the Nevada Military Support Alliance and the Nevada National Guard Association are proud to stand together in support of them,” said Dan Morgan, Chairman of the Nevada Military Support Alliance. “Our organizations remain steadfast in our commitment to strengthening our communities and helping those who serve.”

Contributions come at a pivotal time as members of the Nevada National Guard, Naval Air Station Fallon, Nellis Air Force Base, Creech Air Force Base, and other military installations throughout Nevada continue to experience financial hardship resulting from the ongoing federal government shutdown. Nevada has about 22,600 federal employees in the state, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The collaboration between NNGA and NMSA ensures that affected service members and their families maintain access to essential food and nutrition resources during this challenging period.

“This latest initiative from NMSA and NNGA underscores our dedication to serving Nevada’s military community in meaningful and practical ways,” said Justin Klatt, Executive Director of the Nevada National Guard Association and a major serving in the Nevada Army National Guard.  “We are grateful for the opportunity to join with the NMSA in ensuring our fellow service members and their families receive the support they need during this difficult time.”  

The Nevada National Guard Association (NNGA) is the professional organization that represents the Nevadans who proudly serve their state and nation in the Nevada Army and Air National Guard. NNGA is an active affiliate of the National Guard Association of the United States.