Guard furlough days reduced

Guard furlough days reduced

By Michael Isam

Adjutant General of Florida, Maj. Gen. Emmett Titshaw Jr., had good news as he addressed civilians and technician personnel of the Florida National Guard recently to announce further reductions in the number of required non-paid furlough days.

Sequestration of funds under the Budget Control Act led to the announcement by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel that guard members would lose 24 paid days this year; that number was later reduced to 11, and now stands at six-days.

“I want to thank the Florida National Guard team for demonstrating the professionalism required to meet these mandated requirements,” Titshaw said. “I sincerely believe that our message over the past nine months has been heard in Washington.”

Major belt tightening was in order for the civilian soldiers and staff as the furloughs meant less funds available to families for covering necessities of food, mortgage, rent, clothing and school supplies for children.

Hagel issued a statement indicating the respite may be short-lived. “If Congress does not change the Budget Control Act, the Department of Defense will be forced to cut an additional $52 billion in FY 2014 — starting on October 1,” Hagel told veteran organizations and associations.

“This represents 40 percent more than this year’s sequester-mandated cuts of $37 billion,” Hagel was quoted. “Facing this uncertainty, I cannot be sure what will happen next year; but, I want to assure our civilian employees that we will do everything possible to avoid more furloughs.”

According to US Army Chief of Staff, General Ray Odierno, “Sequestration is already taxing the Army’s readiness to the point that, should an unforeseen crisis arise, soldiers may rush into battle unprepared; which could make conflict more likely by undermining deterrence and increasing the number of casualties should fighting break out.”

In veteran organization and association newsletters including Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and American Legion, the focused emphasis continues to be contacting US Senators and Congressmen, denouncing the use of military furloughs.

These organizations fear that further reductions could have an adverse effect to ongoing operations and maintenance of military facilities, equipment, bases, and put health care and benefits at stake as well. All are seen as essential to the successful mission of our Armed Forces.