CWO's
In early 2019, the Coast Guard was the only branch of the military that was not compensated while on duty during the government shutdown, which lasted over a month.
During that time, I was with Sea Service Family, Foundation, and I partnered with your National President at the time, CWO4 Mark Cortor, and we took your fight to the Hill, and meet with every office in both the House and the Senate.
This oversight left 41,000 Active-Duty Coast Guard members working without pay, including 360 who were currently deployed to the Arabian Gulf, in addition to 6,200 reservists and 8,500 civilian personnel.
We were assured that this would never happen to a military service branch again, yet each year, as the DOD passes it budget, and appropriations, and legislation to protect the Military from pay loss during another government shutdown, the Coast Guard, is always left out because of our ties to the Department of Homeland Security, which has become a political battle from the Republicans and Democrats, a fight that should never involve the US Coast Guard, our nations oldest continuous sea going service, that has fought in every war since the Constitution became the law of the land.
The constitution authorizes Congress "to raise and support Armies...to provide and maintain a Navy", and we want to remind Congress that without the Coast Guard we are a weaker nation.
Congress has kicked this can down the road for way too long. It's time to increase the pressure to ensure this legislation is passed, before its took late.
CWOA has partnered with CPOA in ensuring our voices are heard.
Please follow the steps bellow to help us ensure this battle is finally put to rest!