Alabama National Guard experiences delay in federal drill pay

Release #2016012101

MONTGOMERY, AL (01/21/2016)(readMedia)-- This afternoon, the Alabama National Guard adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Perry G. Smith, posted a video on social media addressing a malfunction in a federal unit pay system that pays National Guard Soldiers in all 54 states and territories. The system caused a delay in pay for January drill. This malfunction delayed paid for some Alabama National Guard Soldiers who would have been paid on Jan. 20 and 27. Maj. Gen. Smith assured Soldiers that leadership at the highest levels of the Alabama National Guard and the National Guard Bureau was aware of the situation and working to remedy it.

The system malfunction was a federal pay system, and is not related to the state payroll system, Maj. Gen. Smith told Soldiers that if this delay left them with financial hardship, they should contact their unit about non-profit organizations that focus on the Alabama National Guard. He is working to ensure that Soldiers are protected until the malfunction has been corrected with pay expected to return on February 1.

A link to Maj. Gen. Smith's video can be found here: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO6hY7FyGqA)