Dear Sgt. Shaft: I'm trying to get the straight scoop on military Reserve time and whether or not it can be applied toward federal civil service retirement — (CSRS or FERS) Civil Service Retirement Service or Federal Employees Retirement System.
Dear Sgt. Shaft: My name is Rochelle, my husband was rated 100 percent about eight years ago, which made me eligible for the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). ... We are now living in Savannah Ga., which seems to me to be a military town. We live up the road from Hunter Army Air force and just a few miles from Fort Stewart, yet I can find no provider willing to accept CHAMPVA.
America's citizen soldiers, who train in their hometowns for a weekend a month and two weeks a year, receive more money for one day of training at home than their fellow National Guard and Reserve members earn for a day serving in the war zone.
Dear Sgt. Shaft: I have read and heard a lot of media coverage of President Obama's speech at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Memorial Day, however, I wanted the public to know how much his appearance ruined the day for thousands of Vietnam veterans in Washington to honor their fallen comrades, but were denied the opportunity to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Dear Sgt. Shaft: I am a Vietnam veteran (era 1965/1966) and, over the years, have developed problems due to an enlarged prostate and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) issues. During my service, I served in An Khe, Pleiku, Qui Nhon, etc., where heavy concentrations of Agent Orange were sprayed. Will I be eligible to receive compensation/benefits because of exposure to Agent Orange?
Dear Sgt. Shaft: I received an email that said that when the flag is presented to the family at a burial of a veteran, the words of presentation say: ".....on behalf of the Secretary of Defense." Is this true? I am shocked that the words no longer state "On behalf of the President of the United States.
Dear Sgt Shaft: I was a reservist ( E-7) activated after 9/11 for almost four years to support my units flyers. ... While activated, I was referred to a renal doctor in Alabama and after a battery of tests was told that I had stage 1 renal failure that was later identified as stage 2.
With gasoline prices at the pump topping $4 a gallon in some parts of the country, President Obama on Friday said he will tap into a government's emergency oil stockpile if he has to, but said the U.S. is already producing more oil now and the current crisis is one of demand, not supply.
Dear Sgt Shaft: My husband is military -- six years active duty Marine Corps and 13 National Guard Reserve. He is currently receiving a medical military discharge for a back injury sustained during his last activation for deployment.
