Offutt Air Force Base is still feeling the effects of the federal shutdown that ended Nov. 10, when a Senate budget agreement passed by a 60-40 congressional vote. 

During the shutdown – which lasted 44 days, breaking the previous record of 35 days set in 2018 – roughly 670,000 government employees were furloughed nationwide, and 730,000 were required to work without pay. 

Here in Nebraska, approximately 2,300 civilian employees were furloughed at Offutt Air Force Base, which houses the U.S. Strategic Command of nuclear deterrence, the 55th Wing, providing global intelligence and surveillance capabilities, and the National Airborne Operations Center. 

Master Sgt. Tyler Fredrickson, the Training Non-Commission Officer in Charge of the detachment of Offutt’s 55th Medical Group, said in a recent interview with Titan Legacy that he saw impacts affecting training, command procedures and the day-to-day lives of service members.

Fredrickson’s main job is ensuring all members of the medical group get the proper training and certifications needed to perform their jobs.

“I have to make sure my detachment is certified not only for the military but the civilian sector, so if we ever get called out to respond we can legally help and render aid within our scope of practice,” Fredrickson said. 

This type of training requires funding to pay for trainers, courses, tests, and trips.

That process was disrupted during the shutdown. 

“We had to cancel many trainings for up to 60-70 days out,” Fredrickson said.

“We canceled a Kansas trip because we couldn’t afford to go do our exercise to get certified as a direct result of the shutdown.” 

Fredrickson is also responsible for assigning medics to jobs, overseeing the whole medical unit, and ensuring every medic is up to date on certifications. 

Even without the funds, the need for decision making remained urgent. 

From the federal decision makers to the employees Fredrickson oversees, the chain of command was disrupted, resulting in complications of his job: 

“Think of my position as an example in school: Right now, it would be like telling your principals not to come to school for the day, and then having your teachers make decisions but not knowing if they have the authority to do so,” Fredrickson said during the shutdown.

Workers either chose not to report  to work because they were not receiving pay or were  told not to come because they were unable to be paid. This added further strain to the environment.

The Offutt medical group regularly partners with organizations such as the Omaha Fire Department. These partners help play a role in training because of the courses and firsthand experience they offer. 

A previously planned hazardous materials course had to be canceled, causing delays in training.

One of the most impactful cancellations was the UNMC program CSTARS Biocontainment, a direct Air Force school that teaches students from around the country. 

“We send people from all over the U.S. to that course, but couldn’t go due to the shutdown of local hospital networks. The longer this shutdown lasts, the further our resources are spread,” Fredrickson said in early November. 

For many affected families, the shutdown inflicted major uncertainty. The worry of getting a paycheck, using up savings, and damaging mortgage and credit accounts were just a few examples of the hardships. This brought changes to many families’ lifestyles leading up to the holiday season.

“There’s been people here who need to go to the food bank when they otherwise wouldn’t need to. There are people who need to take out personal loans against their own credit to make sure they’re getting the paycheck from somewhere, even if it’s borrowed, to make ends meet,” Fredrickson said.

Relying on internal support systems was  one way service members and their families helped each other. 

“We try to make sure people have child care taken care of. When co-workers can’t afford child care, we help each other out,” Fredrickson said.  “I help pick my co-worker’s kids up sometimes, because I have a different schedule than hers.”

After funding started to flow again, Fredrickson said the first steps toward recovery would  be the most urgent, time-impactful tasks. Reaching back out to partners would be among those tasks, as well as deciding who should receive training first, and which certifications would be most appropriate to prioritize. 

 From a funding standpoint, that strain lands on the decision makers. 

“The needs of the civilian populace are the same as ours, so we can’t ask for favoritism. I might have to expand my network or send someone out of state to be mission ready,” Fredrickson said.

In the meantime, Offutt offers many resources that can help families affected by the shutdown. 

On base, the thrift market Airman’s Attic serves any rank E6 and below, any active duty and their dependents, along with any furloughed or exempt employees.

“It runs like a Goodwill without money. If you have something nice that you don’t need anymore, you can donate it there. It’s a crowdfunded place that you can exchange goods at,” Fredrickson said.

This service traditionally has been  helpful for members looking for new uniforms. All branches are given an annual $400 uniform allowance. For those who may work outside and wear through pants easily, or may bust through boots often, that isn’t always enough. Airman’s Attic provides these necessary items  for all branches and ranks.

It also offers household items such as kitchen appliances, clothing, or furniture. The Attic is regularly open two days a week, and is usually run by higher-ranking volunteers.  

“It’s primarily geared toward people newer in the military; people that are my rank typically don’t have access. Once we get past E6, our pay difference is much wider, so we become the ones donating to it,” Fredrickson said.

Mental health is another area for which Offutt provides resources at a base clinic. 

“People are visibly and outwardly talking about their needs, which is nice. People feel safe enough to do so because a lot of people don’t like admitting weakness,” Fredrickson said.

“The mental health people struggle with has been destigmitized over the years, and now people are utilizing their resources or talking about their needs for help.” 

For additional help, First Sergeants Association publishes newspapers and links to resources and information within the military community. This has been a helpful source in uncertain times, providing  base-specific information about resources people can use during financial difficulty. 

“They publish resources such as banking information with USAA and Navy Federal’s program of 0% interest loan that you can do for 60 days. They will pay you what you otherwise would have been paid, and you can pay them back with no loan,” Fredrickson said. 

Offutt is also affiliated with local food banks such as Heartland Hope, NeighborGood Pantry, Bellevue Food Pantry, and Humble & Kind. These  resources provide good alternatives for those without access to the base still looking for support. 

Also available on Offutt’s website is information regarding financial aid and benefit opportunity information. It provides links to possible resources for any family’s situation such as MilLife, supporting military families with special needs, Operation Homefront, giving short-term financial relief to military families, or Relief Societies, offering interest-free loans. There is branch-specific help along with banks associated with the military that could provide support. 

Additionally linked on Offutt’s website is other holiday assistance offered to any families looking for support this holiday season. There are numerous places open to the public that are linked on the website, including Bellevue Christian Center, Saint Columbkille Sacred Heart, and First Baptist Church. Salvation Army also provides assistance to families in various locations during the holiday season including North Corps, Kroc Center, and Omaha Citadel.

All that is required is a photo ID, proof of ages of children, proof of address, and proof of yearly income.