Jackson’s National Guard Feels the Effects of Government Shutdown
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JACKSON, Tenn. – Tennessee National Guardsmen in Jackson are feeling the effects of the stalemate in our nation’s capitol. Both their training and paychecks are on hold. The government shutdown automatically furloughed 800,000 non-essential government employees. For the Tennessee National Guard there is no such thing as nonessential. “The furloughs brought about by the government will affect 1,500 Tennessee soldiers, airmen and civilians,” Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Jaco said. With 10,500 guardsmen in the state, the furlough is roughly 15 percent of state’s troops. “That’s a large number of people that are going to be furloughed,” Lt. Col. Jaco said. “The question mark is out there, when is this going to be over with so I can provide for my family?” Regardless of the shutdown, Guardsmen said they remain dedicated to keeping the citizens of Tennessee safe with or without pay. “We are not going to drop the ball,” he said. “The mission is going to be met. We’re going to make it happen.” Guardsman Tommy Denson has been given a five day furlough notice. That means his pay check could be affected beginning October 6. “Democrat, Republican, whatever, we all need money in our pocket for the economy,” Denson said. Lieutenant Colonel Jaco says training for his troops is still tentatively scheduled for October 19th.
