11/13/2025
⚠️ Government Reopens: What Military Families Need to Know
After more than six long weeks, the federal government has officially reopened. The funding bill signed late last night ends the longest shutdown in U.S. history. This brings relief across the force and with that a new phase of recovery as operations, pay, and services come back online.
Here’s what we know so far:
💰 Pay & Back Pay
Military pay is being prioritized, but Leave and Earnings Statements (LES) for November are not yet available in myPay. Mid-month pay for service members will be issued, though some deposits may be delayed depending on how quickly the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) processes payroll across the services.
Pay for federal employees will be more agency specific. Reports vary, but some agencies anticipate the first deposits to begin this week as payroll systems restart but others are saying it could take more time. Last month, concerns were raised that some employees might not receive back pay. To prevent that, lawmakers included clear language in the new funding bill ensuring all federal employees will be paid for the shutdown period.
🏛️ Legislative Update
The House passed the continuing resolution on Wednesday evening, and the President signed it into law last night. The new measure funds some of the government through the end of next year, but only funds most of it - including the military - through January 30, 2026, setting up another potential showdown just after the holidays. Members of Congress have committed to negotiating a way forward, but recent history has shown us there is always the potential for another shutdown - so continue to plan accordingly.
🚚 PCS Moves & Travel
As Fiscal Year 2026 funds are released, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders and official travel will begin resuming worldwide. However, this will not happen overnight. Civilian and military personnel offices face a backlog of orders and vouchers that accumulated during the shutdown. It may take several days to a few weeks for orders to be reissued and travel vouchers to be processed and paid. Families should stay in contact with their Transportation Office or Chain of Command for the latest updates.
Commercial travel is also expected to stabilize as Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration employees return to work. Airlines report that flight delays and cancellations should begin to decrease this week, particularly on domestic routes.
🪖 Readiness & Recovery
The shutdown has taken a measurable toll on military readiness. Training events, maintenance, and contracts were halted for more than a month, creating ripple effects that could take months to recover. According to defense analysts, rebuilding readiness will require additional funding, careful prioritization, and continued support for Guard and Reserve units that saw major disruptions to drill and training schedules.
Military families have also faced strain from the shutdown’s extended uncertainty. Missed paychecks, delayed orders, and suspended benefits have real impacts on morale and stability. MFAN continues working closely with partners, agencies, and advocates to ensure families receive the information and resources they need to move forward.
💙 A new chapter begins today.
The government may have reopened, but recovery takes time. Families across the force are still waiting for pay to process, orders to resume, and life to return to normal. MFAN will continue sharing verified updates, connecting families to trusted support, and telling the stories that remind our leaders what military life looks like behind the headlines.
We’re still here, but we need your story. The voices of military families matter most in moments like this. As the nation emerges from the longest government shutdown in history, leaders in Washington need to hear from real military families. When you share your experience and stories, it gives us the power to fight for better support and push for smarter solutions.
➡️ Share your story: milfam360.org
