September 08, 2014, Arlington, VA – Army National Guard officials at the National Guard Bureau have identified a $101 million shortfall of federal funds used to pay for personnel training that is delaying Army Guard drill schedules and how Army Guard units close out the fiscal year in September.
“Fewer mobilizations, shortened deployments, and higher training attendance, have all contributed to higher-than-normal expenditure rates across the Army National Guard,” said Lt Col Robert L. Ditchey II, spokesperson for the Army National Guard.
After close examination of expense rates across the Army Guard and discussions with the States, several actions are being taken to slow spending within the limits of the law and minimize impacts on Soldiers and their families and readiness.
“We are in the process of requesting approval to reprogram available year-end funds to pay for the shortfall,” Ditchey said. “We have also asked States to return unobligated funds in order to consolidate all available funds,” he said.
Soldiers with pressing financial issues are encouraged to contact their chain of command for assistance. Each State has a variety of resources available to help, including family assistance centers.
The current shortfall involves only FY14 funds which expire September 30.