Hagel, on Brink of Shutdown, to DoD: 'We Will Come Out of it Together'

U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, on the brink of a potential shutdown of the federal government, issued a statement Monday to military and civilian defense personnel saying that if the government's funding expires at midnight, "We will come out of it together."

"If a shutdown occurs, it will affect different parts of our department in different ways," Hagel stated. "While military personnel around the world would continue to serve in a normal duty status, a large number of civilian employees and contractors would likely be temporarily furloughed. Your supervisor will provide more information, but I want you to know that furlough decisions are dictated solely by the law, which only permits us to direct civilians to work if they are required to continue supporting military operations or if they are required to protect DoD personnel and property. The furloughs are in no way a reflection of the importance of your work, the hard effort you put forth every day, or your dedicated service to our department and our nation."

President Barack Obama on Monday said that a shutdown "will have a very real economic impact on real people, right away."

WaPo: Transcript of the President's Sept. 30 Remarks 

If the government shuts down, more than 800,000 federal workers will not be at work and millions more could be working without a paycheck.

The federal government shut down twice in the 1990s, costing taxpayers an estimated $2 billion when adjusted for inflation.

Moran: Government Shutdown Will Further Erode Confidence in Congress

Up to 25,000 military, civilian and contract employees can be found on a daily basis at the Pentagon in Arlington County, according to the Defense Department's Washington Headquarters Services.

At 6 p.m. Monday, all media lines to the Pentagon's Public Affairs Office were busy and voicemail was unavailable.

More: Government Shutdown: Five Potential Changes on Tuesday

Hagel's complete statement is below.

To all Department of Defense personnel:

As you know, the government’s annual funding could expire at midnight tonight. I have joined President Obama in urging Congress to prevent a lapse in appropriations, and like all of you I would be deeply disappointed if Congress fails to fulfill its most basic responsibilities. We are now in a moment of regrettable and avoidable uncertainty. It would be irresponsible on our part not to prepare for the possibility of a shutdown – especially given that we don’t know what Congress will do over the next 24 hours.

To this end, DoD has been moving forward with necessary and prudent preparations. DoD leaders, in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management, have been reviewing and updating contingency plans. Whatever happens, we will be prepared.

If a shutdown occurs, it will affect different parts of our department in different ways. While military personnel around the world would continue to serve in a normal duty status, a large number of civilian employees and contractors would likely be temporarily furloughed. Your supervisor will provide more information, but I want you to know that furlough decisions are dictated solely by the law, which only permits us to direct civilians to work if they are required to continue supporting military operations or if they are required to protect DoD personnel and property. The furloughs are in no way a reflection of the importance of your work, the hard effort you put forth every day, or your dedicated service to our department and our nation.

This has been a trying period for DoD personnel across the globe – military, civilian, and contractors alike. Right now, I am in South Korea meeting with our Republic of Korea allies and commemorating the 60th anniversary of our mutual defense treaty. I have spent time with U.S. troops and DoD civilians stationed here who would be impacted by a government shutdown. This is an unnecessary and unwelcome distraction from our mission of defending the nation.

DoD personnel and families have been through a lot recently. Sequestration has meant that most of our civilian employees have already had to endure furloughs this year, causing significant stress and hardship, while service members and military families have had to deal with the needless strain of reduced readiness as well as temporary reductions in services essential to their wellbeing. I know the uncertainty of a possible shutdown only adds to the anxiety that I’m sure many of you and your families are feeling. But I also know that the Department of Defense is a strong and resilient institution. We are going into this challenge together and we will come out of it together.

I want to thank all of you – military and civilian – for your patience and your professionalism, as well as your continued service and dedication to both our department and our country.

Thank you, and God Bless you and your families.