JB MDL braces as government shutdown begins Published Oct. 3, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Ryan Throneberry Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Joint base commanders, supervisors and Department of Defense civilian employees gathered at the Joint Base Theater on McGuire and the Flight Deck on Lakehurst to discuss the effects of the current government shutdown during town hall meetings Oct. 1, 2013, here. The U.S. government shutdown as of 12:01 a.m., Oct. 1, due to a lack of an appropriations bill or continuing resolution that funds the federal government. The joint base will continue to conduct missions in support of national security and public safety during the shutdown, but all other operations and activities will halt. Several base facilities such as the Auto Hobby Shop, Civilian Personnel Office, Community Activities Center, the Flight Deck, Youth Sports programs, administrative services for Family Child Care, the Dix official mail center and several of the 87th Civil Engineer Squadron's customer service functions are closed until further notice. Even with a large portion of the workforce not in their workstations, JB MDL leadership vows to continue meeting mission requirements and work to alleviate any issues. "We've been planning for this ever since it became apparent we would indeed have a government shutdown," said Col. James Hodges, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst commander. "During this difficult time, we need to ensure the safety of the installation, we need to maintain the health and wellness of joint base community members and ensure essential duties are still being carried out." The town hall meetings gave community members a chance to answer any burning questions they had about pay, healthcare and other benefits in light of the civilian furlough brought on by the shutdown. Any questions about an individual's specific furlough information should be addressed with his or her direct supervisor. The following links provide additional information on the subject: Office of Management and Budget: www.whitehouse.gov/omb/memoranda_default Office of Personnel Management: Shutdown Furlough www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/furlough-guidance/#url=Shutdown-Furlough OSD Furlough Information: www.cpms.osd.mil/Subpage/FurloughGuidance Department of Defense Government Shutdown Information: www.defense.gov/home/features/2013/0913_govtshutdown/ Military OneSource: www.militaryonesource.com Visit www.jointbasemdl.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-131001-036.pdf to view a full list of services which will be closed, delayed or remain open. Visit Facebook at www.facebook.com/jbmdl or Twitter at www.twitter.com/jointbasemdl for the most up-to-date info in regard to the government shutdown. Community members can also download the MyBaseGuide app for their smart phone or tablet.