Read the latest column by Tom Philpott, a syndicated columnist and freelance writer who has covered the military for more than 25 years including six as senior editor of Navy Times. Military Update covers breaking news affecting the lives of service members and their families.

John Fales (a.k.a. Sgt. Shaft) is a columnist for the Washington Times. The Sgt. Shaft column is written with a wry sense of humor, empathy for the underdog, and strong love of country and fellow veterans that closely mirror the nature of its creator.