Civilian Defense Workers Could Be Back This Week

Many of the Department of Defense’s civilian employees furloughed due to the government shut down could return to work this week at places like Hanscom Air Force Base. 

Close to 90 percent of 350,000 members of the DOD's civilian workforce could return to work this week, according to an announcement over the weekend.

In the Oct. 4 announcement, according to a CNN report on WCVB, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said “most civilians placed on emergency furlough during the government shutdown will be asked to return to work beginning next week.”

“We have tried to exempt as many DoD civilian personnel as possible from furloughs. We will continue to try to bring all civilian employees back to work as soon as possible,” Hagel said in the statement, according to Politico. “Ultimately, the surest way to end these damaging and irresponsible furloughs, and to enable us to fulfill our mission as a department, is for Congress to pass a budget and restore funds for the entire federal government.”

The partial government shutdown took effect at midnight on Tuesday, Oct. 1. And the effects have been many here in Concord, which is home to Minute Man National Historical Park, and a wildlife refuge and which borders Hanscom Air Force Base along with Bedford, Lexington and Lincoln.

At Hanscom, the base’s support organizations were hugely impacted by the shutdown, with dozens of organizations, offices and programs closed or reduced during the shutdown period.

Among those affected services include:

Among those include:

• The 66th Air Base Group’s civil engineering (except the Fire Department), response center and public affairs
• The 66th Force Support Squadron’s youth programs, civilian personnel office and Hanscom Conference Center
• The 66thh Medical Squadron’s health and wellness center and drug demand reduction center
• All 66th Logistics Readiness Squadron services except fire apparatus maintenance

It’s unclear what the Oct. 4 announcement means for those services and support organization. As of Sunday, Hanscom’s website still had not been updated since Tuesday, its final post being “Due to the government shutdown, this website is not being updated.”

According to the report on WCVB, Hagel and Under Secretary of Defense Robert F. Hale explained that there would not be a blanked recall of all DOD-employed civilians, but Department of Justice attorneys determined furloughs could be eliminated for “employees hose responsibilities contribute to the morale, well being, capabilities and readiness of service members.”

Among those who are unlikely to be recalled include members of the information, legislative and public affairs staff.