Army Leaders Receive $1 Million Donation Amid Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Army is set to receive a donation of approximately $1 million to cover travel and lodging expenses for its senior leaders attending a professional development conference next week. This comes at a time when active duty forces face potential missed paychecks due to the ongoing government shutdown, multiple U.S. officials reported.

The donation, made by the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), aims to ensure that leaders and their teams can attend the annual conference scheduled for October 13-16 in downtown Washington, D.C. AUSA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the Army.

Tom McCuin, a spokesperson for AUSA, confirmed that the donation would adequately cover the Army’s planned attendance. He noted that AUSA has a history of donating funds to support Army attendances at the conference, with the recent $1 million donation being larger than usual due to funding issues caused by the shutdown.

The potential viability of the conference had been uncertain when the shutdown commenced, leaving military officials in doubt about their ability to cover travel and per diem costs. “I think the Secretary was keen to make sure that people had the opportunity to attend what is first and foremost a professional development event,” McCuin explained.

The conference will gather Army leaders, defense industry executives, and military representatives. Activities usually include media briefings, workshops, and updates related to the Army’s future goals. A key focus will be the Leader Solarium event, tailored for battalion commanders and sergeants major, where solutions to posed problems are presented to top Army officials.

As the conference approaches, National Guard troops and active-duty forces stationed in several cities—including Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles—are not expected to receive their next paycheck due on October 15. Some military families are preparing for the possibility of financial strain by visiting local food pantries for supplies.

Officials expressed concern over the financial hardships faced by troops, particularly junior service members who may lack savings to fall back on. “It’s devastating,” one official commented. “We need to engage with industry and tell them the things we need and want, especially when our entire force could potentially miss multiple pay periods due to the shutdown.”