Hey all, Ohio AROTC here.
Been hearing a lot of effects on this forum and from my buddies in other states and thought I'd share an update on what effects our program has seen:
- Our finance and recruiting guys are still furloughed but may come back to work this week. Not too much has been getting done in the offices for this reason.
- Stipend pay is suspended for all cadets until further notice. Also all of the SMP cadets in my platoon reported that they were not paid for drill.
-FTX is scheduled for the weekend of 01NOV, but we use gov vehicles and conduct it at Camp Sherman (ARNG site) so we're crossing our fingers that things are resolved by then. Three of my friends from other schools have had Ranger Challenge and FTX cancelled, but they were set for this month.
-Ranger Challenge is set to occur the weekend before Halloween and so far as we know it is still on.
Keeping everyone who's been affected by this, cadets, civilians, and families alike, in our thoughts and prayers. We're doing our best to be motivated leaders and avoid the example set by our congressional leaders.
The real pain will be felt if Congress does not allow a vote on the Debt Ceiling by Oct. 17th. It seems that certain members of congress are planning to use the Debt Ceiling vote as leverage just as they are doing with the Gov. Shutdown.
Things are bad and inconvenient now, if the Gov. is allowed to default we will be entering into some very dark waters. The cuts will be deep and fast, I imagine those in control will have some very serious knee jerk reactions. Closed down War Memorials will be the least of our worries.
I used to be naive to think "They wouldn't let this happen" well, that feeling has left a while ago. If the leadership doesn't start to pull their collective heads out of their...well you know....to heck with the Arab Spring, we could see an American Spring, things could get ugly.
Soooo....when are the next Congressional elections?