The Brief The shutdown would impact 1,333,030 active duty members and 766,336 members of the National Guard and reserve components. Nearly one in four service members has trouble putting food on the table. Legislation has been introduced to continue paying service members during government shutdowns, but it has stalled in Congress. During a government shutdown, members of the United States military, including active duty, National Guard, and reserve members, are not paid but must continue to report for duty to carry out their assigned responsibilities. Burials will continue at VA national cemeteries.