Missouri Guard: Emergency ready, despite government shutdown

Despite the federal government shutdown, Missouri's National Guard adjutant general Maj. Gen. Steve Danner said Wednesday the state's 11,500 citizen-soldiers and airmen will remain mission-ready.

The Missouri National Guard has started limited operations and is conducting an orderly shutdown of nonexcepted activities in the wake of a government shutdown, according to a National Guard news release. Missouri Army and Air National Guard units are delaying drills until after the shutdown and will reschedule them at the commander's discretion.

The Missouri National Guard has a federal technician workforce of about 1,400. About 70 percent will be on unpaid furlough, and 30 percent will be considered excepted and will work through the shutdown, the release said.

Maj. Tammy Spicer at the National Guard public affairs office in Jefferson City, Mo., said the armory in Cape Girardeau will remain open, and there still will be personnel ensuring the "mission-essential tasks" are being done.

In Cape Girardeau, there are 77 soldiers with Headquarters Company, 1140th Engineer Battalion and 87 with Forward Support Company, 1140th Engineer Battalion. There are 152 soldiers attached to the Detachment 5 Recruiting and Retention Battalion. One person organizes the program, Spicer said in an email.

The Recruit Sustainment Program is designed to help newly enlisted soldiers as they begin their military obligations, Spicer said. They learn basic Army skills and values and become more familiar with their role as a soldier in the Missouri Army National Guard.

More than 450 Missouri National Guard members are deployed overseas and will not be affected by the shutdown. About 175 soldiers and airmen are preparing for overseas deployment. They will continue with predeployment training and preparation.

Once a continuing resolution or budget is passed, the Missouri National Guard will resume normal operations.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

2626 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.