A ‘Large Number’ of DISA Civilians Are Furloughed

That’s as specific a count as I could get from the headquarters of the Defense Information Systems Agency at Fort Meade, Md., when I asked how many employees from its workforce of about 6,000 -- mostly civilians -- had been furloughed.

A DISA spokeswoman told me, “Military personnel continue to serve in a normal duty status. Although a large number of our civilian employees are furloughed, those civilian employees determined to be on a mission essential status continue working”

She added, “The determination of which work may continue is based on the law and the legal opinions of the Attorney General and the Office of Legal Counsel of the Department of Justice. This guidance permits us to direct civilians to work if they are required for support of military operations or to protect DOD personnel and property. Contractor personnel may continue to work depending on their contract situation, including whether the contract has already been funded and any requirements for direct government supervision.”

I’d still like the real numbers, but I know that in my life as a reporter (with “pest” being the most polite definition) I often don’t get what I want.