Government shutdown: US Army tells soldiers in Germany to go to the food bank

Approximately 37,000 US soldiers stationed in Germany face uncertainty over November salary payments as the United States enters its longest-ever government shutdown, with the Pentagon warning troops may not receive mid-month wages despite last-minute funding for October.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CBS News that "as of 15 November, our servicemen and women who are willing to risk their lives will no longer be able to receive pay" if the budget impasse between Democrats and Republicans continues.

The US Army published guidance on its website directing soldiers in Germany to emergency social benefits, loans, food banks and food sharing organisations where volunteers provide leftover food through public fridges.

German social benefits remain largely unavailable to US troops, meaning that the soldiers will invariably be left to their own devices.

Labour law expert Michael Fuhlrott said citizens' allowance is legally impossible for soldiers "usually only in Germany temporarily," while NATO regulations prevent German social security provisions applying to foreign troops to avoid double benefits.

Limited German support exists for parental allowance or child benefit in certain cases, Fuhlrott noted.

The Finance Ministry intervened for approximately 12,000 civilian employees at US military bases, providing €43 million for workers in logistics, catering, supplies and security, as reported by Euronews. The payment represents a loan the United States must repay once the budget freeze lifts.

No money in November?

US soldiers received October salaries through emergency funding cobbled from multiple sources: $2.5 billion from summer tax cut legislation, $1.4 billion from military procurement accounts and $1.4 billion from research and development, according to US media reports.

An anonymous donor contributed $130 million specifically for soldiers' salaries and benefits, Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell told CNN, with Trump reportedly receiving the donation from a "friend."

The funding proves critical as "fewer than one in three military families have savings of $3,000," according to Blue Star Families, an initiative founded by military personnel.

Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed optimism that senators will agree on a budget by week's end, potentially ending the shutdown that began 1 October.

The shutdown forces civil servants into unpaid leave while military personnel await resolution of the congressional budget standoff.

Unlike Germany's monthly payment system, US service members receive wages fortnightly, intensifying cash flow pressures during payment gaps.