The 2025 Government Shutdown: How America's Military Families Bore the Burden

The recent 2025 government shutdown, which began on October 1 and lasted until November 12, became the longest in American history. While politicians debated in Washington, military families across the country faced a harsh reality: the government they served was unable to guarantee their next paycheck. From Norfolk, Virginia, to military installations in Japan and Germany, families confronted mounting financial anxiety, canceled children's programs, and made impossible choices about making ends meet.

The immediate impact on military families was staggering. According to a Blue Star Families poll conducted during the first week of October, 55% of military families reported concerns about needing to tap into personal savings to cover basic costs during the shutdown. More troubling still, 30% said they might be forced to take out loans, and 23% indicated they would need to access food banks to feed their families.

Military children saw their routines upended almost immediately. After-school programs, sports activities, and homework clubs were canceled en masse at Department of Defense Education Activity schools, particularly at installations in Europe and the Pacific region. These programs serve not merely as extracurriculars but as essential childcare for service members who work long, inflexible hours.

The most pressing concern was military pay. Service members received their October 1 paycheck because it covered the period before the shutdown, but the October 15 paycheck hung in the balance. Unlike previous shutdowns in 2013 and 2019, Congress had not passed legislation to guarantee continued military pay. Approximately 1.3 million active-duty personnel and more than 750,000 National Guard members and reserve personnel faced the prospect of working without compensation.

On October 12, President Donald Trump ordered the Defense Department to find alternative funds to ensure the October 15 paychecks would be issued. The administration reallocated funds from the Pentagon's research and development budget to cover military pay on October 15 and October 31. While this action provided temporary relief, it came after families had already endured nearly two weeks of uncertainty and anxiety.

Had the shutdown continued beyond November 14, it would have marked the first time in history that members of all military branches missed a paycheck due to a government funding lapse.

The shutdown finally ended on November 12 when Congress passed a short-term continuing resolution, funding the government through January 30, 2026. The legislation included full-year appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs and military infrastructure programs, providing some stability for service members and their families.

If your family was affected by the 2025 government shutdown, you're not alone. Thousands of military families across the country faced the same uncertainty, stress, and disruption. Whether your after-school program was canceled, you had to skip activities you loved, or you noticed your parents worrying about money, these experiences were real and difficult.

Remember that none of this was your fault, and it doesn't diminish the important service your family provides to our country. Military kids are some of the most resilient young people out there, you've already handled moves, deployments, and changes that most kids never face. Your strength matters, your sacrifices count, and there's a whole community of military teens who understand exactly what you've been through.

Sources:

Cohen, Zachary, and Haley Britzky. “Military families brace for missed paychecks as shutdown impacts are already accumulating.” CNN Politics, 8 October 2025, https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/08/politics/military-families-government-shutdown

Jowers, Karen. “How the government shutdown is affecting troops, families.” Military Times, 1 October 2025, https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2025/10/01/how-the-government-shutdown-is-affecting-troops-families/.

Lilley, Kevin. “What the Shutdown Means for Troops, Retirees, Veterans, and Families.” MOAA, 2025, https://www.moaa.org/content/publications-and-media/news-articles/2025-news-articles/health-care-and-earned-benefits/what-the-shutdown-means-for-troops,-retirees,-veterans,-and-families/  

National Military Family Association. “The U.S. Government is Shutdown. What Does This Mean for Military Families?” 2025, https://www.militaryfamily.org/the-u-s-government-is-shutdown-what-does-this-mean-for-military-families/  

Obis, Anastasia. “Shutdown exacerbates existing financial burdens for military families.” Federal News Network, 7 October 2025, https://federalnewsnetwork.com/federal-report/2025/10/shutdown-exacerbates-existing-financial-burdens-for-military-families/ 

Zeleny, Jeff. “Trump’s move to fund military paychecks during shutdown comes as families face strain and uncertainty.” CNN Politics, 12 October 2025, https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/12/politics/shutdown-military-families-paychecks