Military families are facing growing uncertainty as the government shutdown drags on, freezing salaries, halting permanent change of station (PCS) orders, and threatening to delay healthcare payments under TRICARE. While President Donald Trump ordered that service members be paid on October 15, USA Today reports that the October 31 paycheck is now at risk without congressional action.
The Army recently lifted a PCS order freeze for most soldiers—but not all. Hundreds of families remain in limbo due to suspended orders issued before October 1 that require long-term storage, typically for overseas assignments. Many had already packed, scheduled shipments, or vacated homes when the orders were halted.
Col. Rachel Sullivan, commander of U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii, acknowledged the strain on families, saying the delays have caused “a significant amount of stress.” The disruption has thrown relocation plans into disarray and left families questioning when or where they’ll be reassigned.
At the same time, TRICARE issued a warning that, while current care and prescriptions remain available, it may not be able to process or pay claims received after October 1 until funding resumes. Some healthcare providers are already feeling the financial squeeze as reimbursement delays pile up, according to Breitbart News.
The shutdown also impacted military children. On October 1, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) suspended extracurricular activities for over 67,000 students. The decision was reversed a week later, but the temporary halt highlighted the far-reaching effects on military life.
Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson blamed Democrats for the shutdown. “Our military doesn’t get to shut down—but Chuck Schumer and the Democrats did,” Wilson said. “They are playing political games to fund healthcare for illegals while our soldiers… continue to stand post around the world.”
