Soldiers due to leave the Army will now see their tours of service extended for 45 days because of the ongoing U.S. government shutdown.

“Soldiers scheduled to transition out of the Army with separation dates during the government shutdown will be extended by 45 days to ensure proper transition,” Army spokesman Maj. Travis Shaw told Military Times in a statement Wednesday.

He pointed to the Antideficency Act, which bars federal agencies from obligating or spending federal funds in advance or in excess of an appropriation and from accepting voluntary services.

That law, he said, “disables the military from any transactions that potentially obligate funds during a government shutdown.”

The shutdown is leaving soldiers unable to complete necessary procedures prior to leaving the service b

See Full Page