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For six weeks this fall, a government shutdown left service members across the country unsure if their next paycheck would arrive. For a Fort Worth resident — let’s call him Sam — that uncertainty was deeply personal. Though he had savings to get by, he watched colleagues scramble to make ends meet, picking up odd jobs to keep income flowing.
“A lot of my friends were in dire straits,” Sam said. “Some had to pick up Uber Eats or restaurant jobs just to have some income. I was lucky, but it was rough seeing so many struggle.”
Now back at work, Sam braces for the possibility of another shutdown in January. He’s keeping his options open, knowing that even returning to his job doesn’t guarantee stability. “The whole financial stability thing? It’s fragile,” he said.
Initiatives like #GivingTuesday aim to ease the burden for those struggling to make ends meet — including service members facing similar challenges. Retired Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Robert R. Ruark, president and CEO of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), has spent the past seven years helping military personnel navigate financial and personal crises. For this year’s campaign, NMCRS is partnering with the Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance under the banner #MakeGivingYourSuperpower. Their goal is to raise critical funds to support service members and their families.
“Even though service members are back to work, many are still struggling financially,” Ruark said. “We see young families living on tight budgets who faced weeks without a paycheck. They might have had to take loans or skip bills just to get by.”
The campaign encourages Americans to “step up, suit up, and make giving their superpower” for the men and women who serve. Contributions can be made at missionGIVE.us, where donors can direct funds to any of the four participating military aid societies. Lockheed Martin is once again matching donations up to $1 million, doubling the impact of every gift.
The organizations provide far more than emergency financial relief. NMCRS operates 37 thrift shops worldwide, offers scholarships and interest-free loans, and supports military spouses pursuing higher education or employment despite frequent relocations. Ruark notes that these programs are particularly critical given the transient nature of military life and the financial strains that come with it.
“Our support extends across all branches, active and retired,” Ruark said. “Service members face unique challenges — frequent transfers, deployments, and rising living costs. Our goal is to be there for them when emergencies hit, from disasters to unexpected financial crises.”
For Sam, who moved to Fort Worth seeking stability, the shutdown was a stark reminder of the precariousness of military-adjacent work. Though he enjoys his role, he has had to weigh relocation and career changes against his desire for said stability.
“It makes you rethink everything,” he said. “You start asking yourself, ‘Do I stay here, hoping things stabilize, or do I uproot and chase stability elsewhere?’ It’s a tough call.”
The #GivingTuesday campaign seeks to relieve that pressure for service members and their families. In 2024 alone, NMCRS expects to provide roughly $50 million in financial aid to nearly 198,000 service members and their families.
For those like Sam, that support is more than practical — it’s a lifeline. “It’s not just about getting by,” he said. “It’s about knowing someone’s got your back when things go sideways. That peace of mind is worth everything.”
