The Maryland Veterans Commission advises the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families on all issues relating to veterans and is authorized 30 commissioners. Twenty nine positions are filled with representatives from Congressional Districts and Veterans Organizations, with one remaining as a member at large.  

Commissioners are appointed to five-year terms by the Governor and the Governor names the Chair. Maj Jim Shiffrin, USAF (Ret), currently represents the Maryland Council of Chapters on this Commission (through 2027). For more details, click HERE.

The Commission last met on 21 Oct 2025. Here are highlights from the meeting:

Comments from Acting Secretary Ed Rothstein:

• COL Rothstein, USA (Ret), was the Fort Meade Garrison Commander in 2011-2012
• His primary operating philosophy is Listen (to you), Learn (from you), and Lead (with you)
• The Veterans Trust Fund has only about $160,000 and is taking in about $35,000 per month. That number will go up next year when there are checkoff boxes on Maryland Income tax and Vehicle Registration forms. There are about 250 people on their waiting list, and about 30 new signups every day.

Kelly Dincau, the Manager of Legislative Function within the Office of Policy Analysis of the Department of Legislative Services gave an overview briefing on the Maryland Legislative process. Although she has been in the Office of Policy Analysis, and supervises those drafting legislation, she seemed surprised when I brought up the difference between Armed Forces, Military personnel, and Uniformed Services Personnel. Morgan Murphy offered to send her the latest guidance DVMF is giving to Legislators. Perhaps this will prevent terminology problems going forward.

Phil Munley, Director of Veterans Service & Benefits Programs, spoke about the current state of the Benefits program. While the main office (in the Federal Building in Baltimore) is closed due to the Shutdown, all 15 VSO location statewide are open for business, with their staff of 26 accredited Veteran Service Officers. He pointed out that the US VA has three main divisions: Benefits, Health, and Cemeteries. There is little communication between them – if you give a change of address to your VA Doctor’s office, it will not get to the Benefits division. The wait time to get an appointment at one of the State offices is less than 5 days. If the VSO there thinks a veteran has a legitimate claim, they will help submit it, and have a 95% approval rate from the VA. If they do not think the claim has a good chance of success, they will discourage the veteran from submitting it.

The next meeting of the Maryland Veterans’ Commission will be on 20 Jan 2026.

Here are recent minutes from the Commission: