The U.S. Coast Guard is still conducting search-and-rescue operations, securing the nation’s ports, coastlines, and a whole host of other things while the government is shut down. Unlike other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Coast Guard isn’t getting paid for this work.
“Today you will not be receiving your regularly scheduled mid-month paycheck,” Adm. Karl Schultz, top commander of the U.S. Coast Guard, wrote in a statement yesterday. “To the best of my knowledge, this marks the first time in our Nation’s history that servicemembers in a U.S. Armed Force have not been paid during a lapse in government appropriations.”
Charlotte, from West Seattle, is married to a Coast Guardsman. She asked that The Stranger not use last her last name because her husband doesn’t want to piss anyone off, according to her. If anyone gets mad at her, Charlotte doesn’t care, she’ll have some choice words for them.
Currently, Charlotte’s husband, who is working full-time five days a week without pay, is looking for a second job to supplement his $0 paycheck.
“He’s been applying places,” Charlotte said. But, it’s not that easy.
He has to fill out paperwork to with the Coast Guard to get a second job and it can’t conflict with the times he’s scheduled to show up for Coast Guard work. It also can’t be anything that’s a conflict of interest. So, for instance, he couldn’t work at a weed dispensary.
“The only success he’s gotten so far is he’s signed up to drive for GrubHub,” Charlotte said.
The two have been together nearly six years and have weathered other government shutdowns together. None of them have been like this.
“During previous shutdowns they’ve always passed legislation to make sure all branches of military get paid,” Charlotte said, “but the coast guard fell through the cracks this time.”
A common misconception is that the Coast Guard is a subsidiary of the Department of Defense. In fact, the Coast Guard is the only branch of military under the Department of Homeland Security. The DoD is still funded throughout the shutdown. Currently, 42,000 Coast Guardsmen are going without pay.
“The messaging put out by the admiral is that he’s hopeful that this will be over in two weeks but to prepare for three months of no pay,” Charlotte said. “Hearing that is kind of scary.”
Charlotte works two jobs during the winter and she and her husband have savings. They’re doing okay for now. But, while they’re losing out on her husband’s paycheck, they’re also losing out on the housing allowance that the Coast Guard gives.
“Working without pay, other people point out you’re going to be paid eventually, well, in a housing market as competitive as Seattle, a landlord may be really lenient, but they might decide if you can’t pay for two months they’ll try to find someone who can pay,” Charlotte said.
She and her husband are planning on reaching out to their landlord soon about late or partial rent payments if the shutdown continues.
“As a spouse, I’m at a loss,” Charlotte said. “Who do I write to? Is there any value in writing to the White House to say this is getting ridiculous? It doesn’t feel like it does anything.”
The Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) received a $15 million donation from USAA. With the help of the American Red Cross, the CGMA will begin distributing interest-free loans to service members Wednesday, according to an announcement from USAA.
Meanwhile, community support is probably the most impactful thing for federal workers.
A donation bin has cropped up at SeaTac Airport. Weird times:
You may bring non-perishable food and gift cards from 7:30AM-5:00PM to a donation area outside the Sea-Tac Conference Center reception area, on the south end of the airport’s mezzanine level. We will distribute items daily. Cash and checks are prohibited. pic.twitter.com/vzZjE927Ty
— Sea-Tac Airport (@SeaTacAirport) January 16, 2019
