Advocacy Group: Sequestration Will Hit Families Hard

 Military members and their families will see significant curtailments of the services and benefits they are accustomed to in the coming months, as sequestration – the mandatory $47-billion cut in defense spending through September – takes effect. According to the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), more than 800,000 civilian Defense Department employees will be furloughed one day per week beginning April 25. While certain employees considered vital to safety would be exempt, MOAA expects that the furloughs will affect health-care services at medical treatment facilities. Defense Department schools, family programs, child-care centers – all of which rely on funds appropriated by Congress to meet civilian payrolls – also would be impacted. And commissary hours may have to be curtailed as well.