Air Force Recall of Furloughed Civilians

The following is a notification from the Air Force official website that says a majority of the 104,000 furloughed workers will be called back.

According to DOD guidance for implementation of the Pay our Military Act, in addition to already excepted civilians, civilian Airmen who contribute to the morale, well-being, capabilities, and readiness of service members should also be removed from furlough status.  Previously furloughed employees that fall in this category will return to work beginning Monday.  Upon return to work, they may only perform “excepted” duties which encompass those duties necessary for the protection of life and property, so there will continue to be ongoing impacts due to the government shutdown.

“You’ve heard that we are bringing back many of our civilian teammates, but a significant number of them will not return. That is not what we or OSD wanted; however, the DOJ/OMB/DOD negotiated position on the interpretation of the law does not eliminate furloughs all together and leaves many of our civilian Airmen left behind,” said Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning. “Everyone’s work supports our Airmen, but the mechanics of the legislation is the driving force of who comes back, not the value of the work. This is unfair and simply a disruptive situation for you and your families. From day one, our primary focus has been to rapidly get as many people back to work as soon as possible; and we will continue those efforts. We are a team, a family — always have been. We will not be a fully-functioning organization until the last member returns.”

Today supervisors began notifying Air Force civilian employees who will return to work next week. The Air Force is utilizing all possible means of communication including supervisor contact, social media, Air Force Personnel Center and AF.mil.

For current government shutdown information, visit AF.mil’s Government Shutdown page, the Air Force Portal and/or contact the Air Force Personnel Center Total Service Center at 800-525-0102.

Navy Recall of Furloughed Civiian Workers

The following is information from the U.S. Department of the Navy for civilian workers currently furloughed:

All currently furloughed Navy Department employees should return to work tomorrow or as soon as practical with the exception of the employees in the categories listed below:

1 – Chief Information Officer (CIO) functions, not previously excepted from furlough based on the Contingency Plan Guidance for Continuation of Essential Operations in the Absence of Available Appropriations of September 2013.

2 – Deputy Chief Management Officer (DCMO) functions not previously excepted. Should not be any below the Secretariat/Echelon I level.

3 – Legislative Affairs and Public Affairs functions not previously excepted or required in support of internal communications to members of the active service.

4 – Auditor and related functions, including Inspector General (IG), not previously excepted. Employees supporting Financial Improvement Audit Readiness (FIAR) activities are excepted and can report to work.

5 – Work done in support of non-DoD activities and Agencies (except the U.S. Coast Guard) not previously excepted. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) employees are excepted and can report to work.

Employees in these categories will receive calls from their supervisors today explaining the situation. If you have questions, please contact your chain of command.