Department of War Continues Military Family Support During Government Lapse in Appropriations

The operating hours and status of the Department of War’s quality-of-life and family readiness programs may vary at the local installation level due to the government lapse in appropriations scheduled to begin at midnight.

The list below provides guidance regarding the operating status of these programs during a lapse in appropriations.

• Military OneSource: Military OneSource provides comprehensive information, resources, and assistance on every aspect of military life via a website and contact center. Service members and families of active duty, National Guard and reserve (regardless of activation status); Coast Guard members, when activated for the Navy; DoW Expeditionary Civilians; and survivors are eligible for Military OneSource services, available 24/7, 365, and free to users. Visit the Military OneSource website or call (800) 342-9647 to speak with a consultant.
• Child Development Centers (CDCs), School Age Care (SAC), and Youth Programs: CDCs and SACs will remain operational for mission-essential purposes.  Contact your local program or installation for details and guidance.
• Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA): DoWEA schools and district offices worldwide will remain open and will continue to follow the published instructional calendar. Headquarters and regional offices will be affected by any shutdown. All extracurricular activities, including athletics and afterschool clubs, are considered excepted activities and will continue as scheduled.
• Military and Family Life Counseling (MFLC): MFLC is expected to continue uninterrupted. If a MFLC counselor is unable to access the installation, the counselor will work offsite until they regain access.
• Military Exchanges will remain open worldwide.
• Department Lodging will remain open worldwide.
• Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA): DeCA will continue the full operation of all 235 commissaries through the end of March or until all DeCA defense working capital funds are exhausted. If working capital funds are exhausted, then 58 OCONUS commissaries – including those in Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Alaska – would continue to operate in accordance with the Department of War’s Contingency Plan Guidance. The agency would also continue operating six specific CONUS locations identified as remote locations and four designated as austere locations.
  • Remote locations: U.S. Coast Guard Base Kodiak and Fort Greely in Alaska; Fort Irwin and Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center Bridgeport in California; Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada; and U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground in Utah.
  • Austere locations: Anchorage Area Store at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska; Los Angeles Air Force Base in California; Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida; and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington. Given the fluidity of funding priorities, the status of these store operations is subject to change.
• Military and Family Support Centers: Staffing and services may vary by installation. Contact your local center or installation for guidance.
• Family Advocacy Program (FAP): Contact your installation FAP office for details as staffing and services can vary. You can find contact information for your nearest FAP office and domestic abuse victim advocates using the Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate Locator. You may also contact your local Child Protective Services (CPS), Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at (800) 422-4453, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233.
• Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Programs and Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) Activities: MWR programs and NAF activities are deemed excepted activities (e.g., physical fitness and training centers). Select MWR programs and NAF activities not deemed excepted activities will remain open subject to the availability of NAF funds. Check with your local installation for guidance on what facilities are impacted.
• Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO): SECO provides education and career guidance to military spouses worldwide, and offers comprehensive resources and tools for career progression.
  • SECO career coaches will remain available to provide education and career services to military spouses. Call the SECO Career Center at (800) 342-9647 to access comprehensive career support for eligible military spouses.
  • The MySECO website will continue to operate. Visit the MySECO website to access comprehensive career support for eligible military spouses.
  • The Career Accelerator Fellowship Program will continue to accept applications and evaluate candidates.
• My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA): No new requests for financial assistance will be approved after January 30^th. If a spouse request for financial assistance was approved prior to January 30^th, the spouse may continue to attend classes. Call the SECO Career Center at (800) 342-9647 or visit the MySECO website and continue to monitor the MyCAA portal for any updates.
• Casualty and Mortuary Affairs: The Military Departments will continue to provide casualty assistance and mortuary affairs support to families of deceased Service members worldwide. Contact your casualty assistance officer/casualty assistance calls officer, or respective Military Department for any assistance.
• Long-Term Survivor Assistance: There will be limited availability for long-term care to surviving family members. Contact your respective Service’s long-term case managers for details on Military OneSource.
• Military Funeral Honors: The Military Departments will continue to provide military funeral honors to eligible Service members and veterans. Funeral honors may be limited at some locations. Family members and funeral directors can find contact information to request funeral honors on Military OneSource.