|
Sgt. Shaft: Archives
January 22, 2013: Vet's Wife Seeks Doctor
January 15, 2013: Vietnam Vet Seeks AO Benefits
January 08, 2013: Vet Asks About Benefits
January 02, 2013: Reader Offers Dog Tag Help
December 27, 2012: Thankful Veteran Spouse
December 18, 2012: Veteran Spouse Needs to Renew ID
December 11, 2012: Agent Orange-Related Illness?
December 04, 2012: Eight-Year Vet looks for Benefits
November 27, 2012: TRICARE Supplement Plans for Vets
November 20, 2012: Whose Dog Tags Are These?
November 13, 2012: Meds for Disabled Vets
November 06, 2012: Talking Prescription System
October 31, 2012: Vet's Widow Seeks More Benefits
October 23, 2012: Veteran's Ex Seeks Benefits
October 16, 2012: Vet Seeks Info About Agent Orange
October 09, 2012: Severance Pay Can Be Taxed
October 02, 2012: Separated Vet's Widow Burial Benefits
September 25, 2012: Looking for Dog Tag Owners
September 18, 2012: VA Comes Through for Veteran
September 11, 2012: Burial Benefits for Separated Vet's Widow
September 04, 2012: Are There Burial Benefits for Widows?
August 28, 2012: Woman Seeks Help for Vet Father
August 21, 2012: ALS Vet Wife Seeks Benefits
August 07, 2012: A.O. Widow Makes Claim
July 31, 2012: Vet Gets Benefits for Spouse
July 24, 2012: Back Pay for Tuition
July 17, 2012: 'Dead Veteran's Tax'
July 10, 2012: Spouse Seeks Help for Injuries
July 03, 2012: Widow's Benefits after Divorce?
June 26, 2012: Vet's Widow with No Benefits
June 19, 2012: Vet Not Able to Visit Memorial
June 12, 2012: Hearing Injury Claim Denied
June 06, 2012: PTSD Claim Update
May 29, 2012: Vet's Wife Burial
May 22, 2012: Widow Needs to Renew ID
May 15, 2012: Prostate Cancer Claim Info
May 08, 2012: Vet Seeks Root Canal Help
May 01, 2012: Widow Seeks Citizenship Info
April 24, 2012: No Education Benefits for Siblings
April 17, 2012: Wife's Insurance Troubles
April 10, 2012: Navy Ships and Agent Orange?
April 03, 2012: TRICARE Fee Increases Still in Flux
March 27, 2012: Retired Vet Seeks Benefits Clarification
March 20, 2012: Vet Seeks Agent Orange Info
March 13, 2012: Vet Seeks TRICARE Insurance Info
March 06, 2012: More Vets Eligible for Compensation
February 28, 2012: Spouse Plots in National Cemeteries
February 21, 2012: Property Tax Exemption for Vets
February 14, 2012: VA's 800 Number Lacks Personal Touch
February 07, 2012: Vets Former Spouse Asks About Benefits
January 31, 2012: Will Going to Nursing Home Diminish Benefits?
January 24, 2012: Do Widows Retain Military ID Card Privileges?
January 18, 2012: Vet's Wife Found Lost Dog Tags
January 10, 2012: Vet's Widow Learns Presumptive Diseases Too Late
January 03, 2012: Marine Seeks Help For Fellow Homeless Vets
December 27, 2011: All 'Assured Victory' Print Proceeds go to Wounded Veterans
December 20, 2011: Medals From Active Duty
December 13, 2011: Am I Eligible for Agent Orange Compensation?
December 06, 2011: Blind Veteran Seeks Help From VA
November 29, 2011: How To Get Missing Medals
November 22, 2011: Agent Orange Compensation
November 15, 2011: Are All Vets Entitled to VA Cemetary Burial?
November 08, 2011: Who Presents The Flag?
November 03, 2011: Does ROTC Count Toward Retirement?
October 25, 2011: Vet With Renal Failure Seeks Retirement
October 18, 2011: Widow Can Remarry at 57
October 11, 2011: Wife Worries Agent Orange Effects
October 04, 2011: Need to Prove Service in Vietnam
September 27, 2011: Vet Seeks Benefits for Disabled Son
September 20, 2011: Vet Wife Seeks Survivor Plan Benefit
September 15, 2011: Units Exposed to Agent Orange
September 06, 2011: Vets Lose on Divorce Settlement
August 30, 2011: Spouse Asks About Husband's Retirement Benefits
August 23, 2011: Foreign Vet Benefits
August 17, 2011: Vet Widow Retains Benefits
August 09, 2011: Disability Payments to Former Spouse?
August 02, 2011: Mom Makes The Grades
July 26, 2011: How to Download Forms from the DoD Site
July 21, 2011: Dog Tag Tracked to Deceased Veteran
July 12, 2011: Is British Vet's Spouse Eligible for a Pension?
July 06, 2011: Did Agent Orange Kill Vet?
June 29, 2011: Widow's Benefit From Husband's Hepatitis C?
June 22, 2011: Dog Tags Have Varied Over Time
June 15, 2011: Widow Proves Vet's Exposure
June 08, 2011: Who can be buried at Arlington?
June 01, 2011: Retirement Pay After Divorce
May 24, 2011: Did Red Hat Mission Cause Illnesses?
May 17, 2011: Any Help for Caregivers?
May 10, 2011: Retired Veterans Create VetSignias
May 04, 2011: Disability Pay Tax
April 27, 2011: Divorced Wife of Vet Get Agent Orange Payout?
April 19, 2011: Will TRICARE cover my medical testing?
April 13, 2011: Can Wife Be Buried in a VA Cemetery?
April 05, 2011: Keeping Military Insurance?
March 29, 2011: Was My Ship Exposed to Agent Orange
March 22, 2011: What Are The Health Care Requirements?
March 15, 2011: How to Help Jailed Veteran
March 08, 2011: Who Can Be Buried in Arlington?
March 01, 2011: Painting Sales Help Blind
February 22, 2011: Why Did Retirement Checks Stop?
February 15, 2011: Widow Upset At Benefits Removal
February 09, 2011: What Would Widow Be Entitled To?
February 02, 2011: Widow wants to check benefits
January 26, 2011: New Addition to Agent Orange List
January 18, 2011: Nurse Seeks Info About Seniority Rules
January 12, 2011: Vet Seeks Info on Lung Disorders
January 05, 2011: WWII Vet's Benefit Restored
December 29, 2010: Disabled Vet Seeks Education
December 22, 2010: Merchant Marine Seeks Help for Cancer
December 15, 2010: Too Late for TERA?
December 10, 2010: When Are New Spouses Eligible For Survivor Benefits?
December 01, 2010: Was I Affected By Agent Orange?
November 23, 2010: Induction during WWII
November 17, 2010: Widow's Benefits
November 10, 2010: Proof of 'Boots on the Ground'
November 03, 2010: Free Patriot eGames For Vets
October 27, 2010: No Increase in VA Benefits
October 20, 2010: Need Braille Business Cards
October 13, 2010: Agent Orange Victim Denied Benefits
October 06, 2010: VA Denied IPF Claim
September 29, 2010: Is Flag Burning Okay?
September 22, 2010: Remarriage Puts Benefits at Risk
September 15, 2010: Fear of Agent Orange Exposure
September 08, 2010: Recouping Payment From a Vet
September 01, 2010: Benefits With Pregnancy Discharge?
August 25, 2010: Benefits Sought For Widowed Mother
August 18, 2010: Too Late for Benefits?
August 11, 2010: Pending Separation Pay Review
August 03, 2010: Airman Misses Early Retirement Eligibility
July 30, 2010: Troop's Surgery Now Expedited
July 21, 2010: Agent Orange Illness List Expanded
July 14, 2010: Benefits Unlikely for Marine Reservist's Widow
July 07, 2010: Surgery Delays Puts Life on Hold
June 30, 2010: Sick Son Needs Better Benefits
June 23, 2010: Decoding Dog Tags
June 16, 2010: Caregiver Assistance for Vets
June 09, 2010: Veterans Exposed to Asbestos
June 02, 2010: 9/11 Memorial Available
May 26, 2010: Verifying Cause of PTSD
May 19, 2010: Widow May Qualify for Purple Heart Benefits
May 12, 2010: Bias in Federal Jobs?
May 05, 2010: Being Buried Next to Vet
April 28, 2010: GI Bill Benefits Extension
April 21, 2010: Mail Service for Military Retirees
April 14, 2010: Retirement From Reserves
March 31, 2010: WAVES Eligible for VA Benefits
March 24, 2010: President Urged to Honor the Fallen
March 17, 2010: Renaming Dept. Navy & Marine Corps.
March 11, 2010: Vets Preference on Fed Jobs Limited
March 04, 2010: Widows Keeps ID Card if Not Remarry
February 25, 2010: Making Info Accessible to Blind
February 18, 2010: A Long Wait for Military Records
February 11, 2010: Benefits With Less Than 20 Years Service
February 04, 2010: Divorcee Tapping Vet's Disability Pay
January 28, 2010: No Cost to Provide Personnel Records
January 21, 2010: Getting My Savings Bond
January 14, 2010: Social Security and Disability?
January 07, 2010: Frustrating Wait for Military Records
December 31, 2009: Adaptations Need Updating
December 24, 2009: Vietnam Service Disputed Despite Records
December 17, 2009: Determining Health Coverage in Divorce
December 10, 2009: Ode to a Lonely Warrior on Christmas Eve
December 03, 2009: Vietnam Plaque Needs Care
November 27, 2009: Wounded Warriors Rally for Recovery
November 19, 2009: VA Reviews Asbestos Claims
November 12, 2009: VA Claims Advantageous
November 05, 2009: VA Home Loan Open To Spouses
October 29, 2009: One VA Gravesite Reserved Per Vet
October 22, 2009: Aid, Attendance Help Some Veterans
October 15, 2009: Siblings not Covered by Benefits
October 08, 2009: Agent Orange Contact Must Be Direct
October 01, 2009: Agent Orange-Parkinson's Link Debated
September 24, 2009: VA Benefits Available Online
September 17, 2009: Offsets Phase Out
September 10, 2009: Brain Injury Therapy Available
September 03, 2009: More Aid for Caregivers Likely
August 27, 2009: Severity of Disability Taken Into Account
August 20, 2009: Claiming Service-related Death Benefit
August 13, 2009: Spouse Benefits have Limitations
August 06, 2009: How to Obtain Earned Medals
July 30, 2009: Agent Orange Fallout Real
July 23, 2009: File Benefits Claims Within A Year
July 16, 2009: Widow Eligible for Benefits
July 09, 2009: Dog Tag Comes From Ex-Sailor
July 02, 2009: Sierra Club Funds Camps for Military Families
June 25, 2009: Separation Pay Review Pending
June 18, 2009: A Long-Overdue Thank-You
June 11, 2009: VEAP Conversion to MGIB Limited
June 04, 2009: Severance-pay Tax Refunds
May 28, 2009: Widow Eligible for Benefits
May 21, 2009: Guarding Military Access
May 14, 2009: Armed Services YMCA nears 150th
May 07, 2009: Navy Cut Fingerprints on Tags
April 30, 2009: VA Can Assist Homeowners
April 23, 2009: Spouse's Refunds Automatic
April 16, 2009: Law Requires Recoup of SSB
April 09, 2009: Disability Pay Uniform
April 02, 2009: Death Pension Option For Spouses
March 26, 2009: May Celebrates Military
March 19, 2009: Service-linked Disability Key to Aid
March 12, 2009: Visit US War Dead Overseas
March 05, 2009: Benefits on Inactive Duty
February 26, 2009: Time Works Against Widow
February 19, 2009: Divorce Decrees Inert
February 12, 2009: Divorce Risks Benefits
February 05, 2009: FRA Eyes Possible Health Cuts
January 29, 2009: How ALS Listing Affects Benefits
January 22, 2009: GI Bill Benefit to be Increased
January 15, 2009: Army Offers Health Tuition
January 08, 2009: Move to Streamline Absentee Voting
January 05, 2009: Updated Insurance not Tied to Combat
December 29, 2008: Medical Retirement System is Complex
December 18, 2008: VA Retired Pay Still Taxable
December 11, 2008: Exposure Rule Omits Thailand
December 04, 2008: Survivor Status for Ex-Spouse
November 29, 2008: Make GI Bill Extension Retroactive
November 20, 2008: Care Available for Blind Vets
November 13, 2008: Law Covers More Care Costs
October 30, 2008: No ALS Link to Get VA Benefit
October 23, 2008: Pay, Benefits for Retirement
October 16, 2008: Accident Victim Gets Aid
October 09, 2008: TRICARE Covers Spouses in the Gap
October 02, 2008: Disability Pay Applications
September 25, 2008: Increase for Unemployable
September 18, 2008: National Programs Help Vets
September 11, 2008: Family Gives to Widow's Burial Costs
September 06, 2008: Forum for Wounded Soldiers
August 28, 2008: Disease's Ties to Herbicide
August 21, 2008: Initiative Supports Veterans
August 14, 2008: Medal Info is Available Online
August 07, 2008: Retirees: Caution when Choosing Health Care
July 31, 2008: Veterans' Tax Benefits
July 24, 2008: Retirement Offers Insurance Choices
July 17, 2008: VA Claims Process
July 10, 2008: Stuck with SBP
July 03, 2008: TRICARE and Burial Benefits
June 26, 2008: TRICARE, OHI Reimbursement
June 19, 2008: Support a Day for the Children
June 09, 2008: Agent Orange Compensation Won't Offset Retirement Pay
June 02, 2008: TRICARE Acts as 'Medigap'
May 27, 2008: Navy Dog-tag Decoded
May 19, 2008: Medicaid a Supplement
May 12, 2008: Wii Gifts to Vets Fall Short
May 05, 2008: Improved Pension has Limits
April 28, 2008: Be Wary of Caller Soliciting for 'VA'
April 21, 2008: VA Benefit 'Error' Written Into System
April 14, 2008: New GI Bill Called Test of Commitment
April 07, 2008: 'Forgotten Widows' Offered an Annuity
March 31, 2008: Defense Renews Attempt to Raise Health Care Fees
March 24, 2008: Realities Beg G.I. Bill Revision
March 17, 2008: Status Merits Inurnment
March 10, 2008: Arlington Cemetery Eligibility Online
March 03, 2008: VEAP Vets Deserve a Chance
February 25, 2008: Arlington Allows Urns
February 18, 2008: Disability Benefits Don't Vary by State
February 11, 2008: Veterans Homes Seek Wiis
February 04, 2008: Waiver Needed to Switch School Aid
January 28, 2008: Long-Term Care Options Vary by State
January 21, 2008: No Refunds for Vets
January 14, 2008: U.S. Not Liable for Mishap
January 07, 2008: Inmate's Dependents Must File for Aid
December 31, 2007: VA Backlog Delays Pay
December 24, 2007: Tricare Deserves Review
December 17, 2007: Counseling Can Aid Abused
December 10, 2007: E-mail Helps Gain Benefits
December 03, 2007: Arlington Burial Expedited
November 26, 2007: Vets Dental Care Limited
November 19, 2007: Dems Saluted for Vets Bill
November 12, 2007: Paper of Marine Reservist Found
November 05, 2007: ASU Center to Serve Veterans
October 29, 2007: Widow Should Seek TRICARE
October 22, 2007: VA Helps Disabled Veterans
October 15, 2007: Forgotten Widows Benefit
October 08, 2007: Wanted: Benefits Staffers
October 01, 2007: Disability Pay not Taxable
September 24, 2007: Reporting Spousal Abuse
September 17, 2007: VEAP vs. MGIB Benefits
September 10, 2007: Long-term Health Care
September 04, 2007: VA Dental Coverage Limits
August 27, 2007: Limits Apply to Leave
August 20, 2007: Discontinuing SBP Payments
August 13, 2007: Tricare's Antiquated Policy
August 06, 2007: Vet Seeks Full-Term Benefit
July 30, 2007: ROTC as Military Service
July 23, 2007: Filing Agent Orange Claims
July 16, 2007: Firm Offers Vets Free Help
July 09, 2007: Getting Help with TRICARE
July 02, 2007: Legion Seeks Volunteers
June 25, 2007: Dogs Trained to Aid Wounded
June 18, 2007: Benefits Limited for Divorcees
June 11, 2007: Artist Helps Heal Wounds
June 04, 2007: Website Locates Defense Offices
May 29, 2007: Press Social Security for Credit
May 21, 2007: Insurance Rules for Pregnancies
May 14, 2007: Military Pay Act Praised
May 07, 2007: Blinded Vets Program Diluted
April 30, 2007: EchoTaps to Sound Again
April 23, 2007: Florida Vets Get Runaround
April 16, 2007: Survivor Benefits Catch-22
April 09, 2007: Discharge Form for Reservists
April 02, 2007: Formula Determines SBP Cost
March 26, 2007: Vet Due Retroactive Benefits
March 19, 2007: Vet's Claim Tied to Proof
March 12, 2007: Fighting TRICARE Increases
March 05, 2007: The Best Battle Monuments
February 26, 2007: Vet Social Security Boost
February 20, 2007: Bills to Extend Benefits
February 12, 2007: DIC Offset a Dark Secret
February 05, 2007: ChampVA Site Offers Help
January 29, 2007: VetGuide Explains Credits
January 23, 2007: War Injured Have Benefits
January 16, 2007: Dropping Health Coverage
January 08, 2007: TRICARE Can Cut Costs
January 02, 2007: Cause Helps Ease Hospital Stay
December 26, 2006: Retroactive-Pay Backlog Cut
December 18, 2006: War Veteran Deserves Medal
December 11, 2006: No Retreat on Lending Reform
December 04, 2006: Rehabilitation Must be Centralized
November 27, 2006: Urgent TRICARE Fix
November 20, 2006: Retirees Eligible for TRICARE
November 13, 2006: Research Key To Coverage
November 03, 2006: TRICARE-VA Ties
October 30, 2006: Retiree TRICARE Clarification
October 23, 2006: 'Volunteer Draft' Necessary
October 16, 2006: VA Spouse Burial Benefits
October 09, 2006: Creditable Military Service
October 02, 2006: 'Volunteer Draft' Solution
September 25, 2006: Vet Seeks Arlington Burial Details
September 18, 2006: Veterans Ensured Loans
September 09, 2006: Lawmakers Fight for Marines
September 05, 2006: No Papers Needed for Burial
August 28, 2006: Widows Seek Info on Disease
August 18, 2006: Iraq Veteran Seeks Job Help
August 14, 2006: Spouse VA Loan Guarantees
August 07, 2006: Support for Walter Reed
July 27, 2006: On/Off-Base Gas Prices
July 24, 2006: Vets Entitled to TRICARE
July 17, 2006: Accounting for BRS Funds
July 12, 2006: Benefits Safe in Divorce
July 03, 2006: Benefits for Military Widows
June 26, 2006: Death and VA Compensation
June 19, 2006: Benefits Safe from Creditors
June 12, 2006: Phone Service for Deaf
June 05, 2006: Cutting the Service Corps
May 30, 2006: DIC Eased for Widows
May 22, 2006: VA Exam Encouraged
May 15, 2006: Audible Drug Labels
May 08, 2006: Rectifying Reserve MGIB
May 01, 2006: Leaders Should Bear Burden
April 24, 2006: Bill for Ethiopian Rights
April 21, 2006: Hilton Evicts Wounded Heroes
April 17, 2006: Consulting Doctors on Pay
April 10, 2006: Old Glory's Protection
April 03, 2006: Troops Caught in Red Tape
March 28, 2006: Let's Hear it for ScripTalk
March 20, 2006: Requesting War Records
March 13, 2006: Spousal Abuse and Divorce
March 06, 2006: New Policy on Duty Pay
February 27, 2006: TRICARE Hikes Hit Retirees
February 21, 2006: An American Legion Honor
February 13, 2006: Security vs. Disability
February 06, 2006: College Credit for Service
January 30, 2006: Reservists Receive Preference
January 23, 2006: High Health Costs Hurt Troops
January 17, 2006: Honoring Shughart's Sacrifice
January 09, 2006: Bill Seeks to Honor Fallen POWs
January 03, 2006: Program Helps Injured Troops
December 27, 2005: VA Budget Inadequate
December 19, 2005: Options in Health Insurance
December 12, 2005: Concurrent Benefits Confusion
December 05, 2005: Reservists and Veterans
November 29, 2005: Separation-pay Issues
November 21, 2005: Plaques Honor Veterans
November 14, 2005: Readjustment Pay Hurts Vets
November 07, 2005: Tricare Prime Areas Change
October 31, 2005: Widow Benefits Inequality
October 24, 2005: Seeking VA Recompense
October 18, 2005: Predatory Lending to Military
October 10, 2005: Merchant Marines at Arlington
October 03, 2005: One-Year Rule
September 26, 2005: Agent Orange Link Questioned
September 19, 2005: Retirees and Military Burial
September 16, 2005: Congress Urged to End Offsets
September 06, 2005: A Hero's Recognition
August 29, 2005: Baffled Beneficiary
August 23, 2005: Burning Old Glory
August 15, 2005: Burial Eligibility
August 08, 2005: VEAP to MGIB
August 01, 2005: TRICARE Travesty
July 25, 2005: A Father's Valor
July 18, 2005: Flag Amendment
July 13, 2005: 'Free' Health Care?
July 05, 2005: Protecting the Flag
June 27, 2005: VA Help Granted
June 20, 2005: Shift in Funding
June 13, 2005: Restore Full Pay?
June 07, 2005: Divorcing a Retiree
May 31, 2005: Disability Claims
May 24, 2005: Fate of a USMC Veteran
May 16, 2005: Flag Amendment
May 09, 2005: Securing Photographs
May 02, 2005: Military Records
April 25, 2005: CHAMPVA Coverage
April 18, 2005: Vocational Rehab
April 14, 2005: Baseball Vets, Guard Support
April 13, 2005: CSRC, Brown Bags, USERRA
|
|
About Sgt. Shaft
 Sgt. Shaft was hatched in April of 1982 at the home of the veterans' newspaper, Stars & Stripes, in Washington, D.C. This moniker combines the name of its creator, John Fales, Marine MOS in Vietnam and "Scout Sgt.," with the military expression when wronged, "Shafted."
Sgt. Shaft's wry sense of humor, empathy for the underdog, and strong love of country and fellow veterans closely mirror the nature of its creator.
In addition to writing the column, John Fales is President of the Blinded American Veterans Foundation. His decorations include Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal, New York State Conspicuous Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, and South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Sgt. Shaft has no twin.
|
