GEORGETOWN, SC (WBTW)- The government shutdown has lasted more than a month, and members of the Coast Guard brace to miss a second paycheck.

One member has been with the Coast Guard for nearly 20 years, and said this is the first time he’s missed a paycheck.

Coast Guard members worry they could miss their second paycheck in a row on January 30th due to the government shutdown. 

The Coast Guard is the only military branch that falls under the Department of Homeland Security and not the Department of Defense.

“It’s been stressful. It’s been stressful on a lot of the guys especially the junior members we have. Some junior guys that have a wife. Stay at home mothers. One income family living pay check to pay check. There’s no service without sacrafice.  A lot of times we’re doing the service and the family is doing the sacrafice,” said Justin Pickler, Officer in charge  at Georgetown Station.

There are 40 Coast Guard members in Georgetown  and all feeling uncertain.

“I’ve been trying to minimize crews as much as I can to allow members to get second jobs if they need to to support their family,” said Pickler.

Coast Guard members have recieved food donations to help feed their families, and on Wednesday morning local veterans, ministers, and Helping Hands of Georgetown came to give them check donations.

“Veterans take care of veterans and we have to. It’s part of the family. Our family,” said Jerry Lee, a veteran from American Legion Post 114 in Georgetown.

“I was in their shoes this morning. It went back a long time and was proud to be here,” said Rodney Ward, Commander of American Legion Post 114.

The Coast Guard prides itself on helping others in times of need, and now the role is reversed.
“For us to be the people in need now and to have the community to reach out to us the way they have is so humbling, and we can’t say enough and how grateful we are,” said Pickler.

The government shutdown doesn’t just affect their paychecks. Right now, they’re only allowed to use their boats for emergency search and rescue.

“Where it affects us is any type of training we want to do and any type of supplies we cant to procure we can’t do that right now,” said Pickler.

When it comes to donations members said they need gift cards and diapers.

If you’d like to help donations can be dropped off at:
Robbie Buice’s office with The Lachicotte Company. 
10554 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island.

Click here for information on ways to assist Helping Hands of Georgetown.