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Get the Benefits You Have Earned

We’re here to help. All our services are free of charge. 

Our Mission

The Wyoming Veterans Commission’s mission is to develop, enhance, and promote programs, services, and benefits for Wyoming veterans and their families through outreach, education, communication, and legislation. We strive to improve the quality of life of every Wyoming veteran.

Our Vision

Thriving veterans and their families. 

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Advocacy within the state legislature and federal government

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Our Benefits book, which includes essential veteran benefits
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Access to many benefits and resources
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How We Can Help You

We listen and identify all of the benefits that you deserve:

  • VA Claims - We help you through the process of filing claims, getting supporting documents for claims, and reviewing disability ratings for accuracy
  • Get the Veteran Designation on your license
  • Assist with military records

Veteran Success Stories

Read about the difference a Veterans Services Officer (VSO) can make for Veterans.

I don't know what my husband and I would have done without the care and assistance from the VSO's at the Wyoming Military Department. They made our experience with filing for VA benefits unbelievably easy and stress free. We both could not have been happier. Thank you for all that you do!
Anonymous Veteran.
Anonymous Veteran.
As a Veteran of 35 years I came to my Veterans Services Officer with more than a few questions about the VA medical process. My VSO, a veteran herself, has been a tremendous advocate for me. She continues to be a valuable source of information for me.
SMSGT Jeffrey T Collins.
SMSGT Jeffrey T Collins.
My disability claim was a very challenging and extensive claim. However my VSO’s patience, kindness, knowledge and support was a tremendous help to me. My Veterans Services Officer went above and beyond what I thought a VSO could do to help me.
Ret. TSgt Loren Hamburger.
Ret. TSgt Loren Hamburger.

Get the Benefits You Deserve

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Our Team

We are a team of veterans and family of veterans. We understand the struggle and are dedicated to improving the lives of Wyoming Vets.
Tim Sheppard serves as the Commission’s Executive Director. He served in the Army and the National Guard for more than 40 years rising from private to colonel over the course of that time. He holds a master of science degree in strategic studies and is extremely proud to hold the title of Distinguished Past Governor of the Rocky Mountain District of Kiwanis. In short, he loves people, especially veterans, and is dedicated to helping them understand their benefits and how to attain them.
Tim Sheppard

Tim Sheppard

Commission's Executive Director

Shane Whitworth

Executive Assistant
Shane Whitworth is the Executive Assistant. He brings a familiar face to the Veterans Commission, having recently retired with 29 years of service from the Army and Wyoming National Guard with multiple deployments. He is proud and excited to be part of the Wyoming Veterans Commission, where assisting fellow Veterans and their families is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have.

Vicki Osman is the Program Manager and has been with the Wyoming Veterans Commission for eight years. Vicki has degrees in Psychology, English, and Curriculum and Instruction. She brings over 10 years of experience working with veterans to help them access the benefits they have earned.

VickiOsman

Vicki Osman

Program Manager
Emily Study

Emily Study

Veterans Service Officer
Phone Number: 307-399-1821
Counties Serviced: Albany, Carbon
Emily Study has been involved with the Wyoming Military Department as either a Volunteer or an employee since 2005. She brings forth experience working with families, veterans and those currently serving. She is thankful for the sacrifices the veterans and families have endured. She is also proud to be a part of the Wyoming Veterans Commission, where she is able to assist in making sure the Veterans and their families are getting the help they need to file their claims with the VA.

Crystal Troutman is a VSO covering Laramie and Goshen counties. She started in February of 2020 and hit the ground running. Crystal has a Master’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Throughout her professional career, she has worked with countless individuals to overcome or manage the personal, social, and psychological effects of their disabilities on employment and independent living. Her passion is helping others to improve their lives. She strives to provide excellent customer service and is dedicated to having positive outcomes.  As a VSO she brings compassion, acceptance, empathy and dedication to the Commission and the Veterans being served.

Veterans Service Officer

Crystal Troutman

Veterans Service Officer
Phone Number: 307-256-1778
Counties Serviced: Goshen, Laramie

Brad Cline

Veterans Service Officer
Phone Number: 307-250-3890
Counties Serviced: Park, Hot Springs, Big Horn, Washakie

Brad Cline is a 1998 graduate of Cody High School in Cody WY. Following high school he enlisted into the Marine Corps where he served just under 15 years before being medically retired in 2012. Brad started working for the Veterans commission as a Service Officer in 2013 and has seven years of experience helping veterans and their families navigate the VA’s disability benefits system. Brad enjoys helping his fellow veterans and their families navigate the complex disability system to ensure they receive the benefits they have earned and to make the process as smooth as possible for them. 

Lyle Eagle left Wyoming in 2007 to enlist in the Army and served as an Infantryman in the 3rd US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) performing duties in Arlington National Cemetery until 2011, when he was medically discharged. After the Army, Lyle began working as a federal employee with several organizations, including the National Parks Service at Saratoga National Historical Park in New York and Honouliuli National Monument in Hawaii, the Department of Defense, the National Forest Service, and finally the National Archives. After returning to Wyoming in 2023, Lyle started working for the Veterans Commission, where the chance to help fellow veterans and their families has been the most rewarding opportunity yet.

Lyle Eagle

Veterans Service Officer
Phone Number: 307-258-1100
Counties Serviced: Natrona, Converse
Ellen Rejda

Ellen Rejda

Veteran Service Officer
Phone Number: 307-438-2101
Counties Serviced: Fremont, Teton

Ellen has a bachelor of arts in economics and accounting from the University of Pittsburgh. She worked in telecommunications and business consulting prior to joining the Department of Veterans Affairs. There, she held various positions for the VA benefits administration, most recently as a rating veterans service representative.

Sandy McFarland has 22 years of experience serving as an advocate for those in need.  Currently working to obtain her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Sandy is grateful to be serving as a Veteran Service Officer in the Gillette office.  New to the Wyoming Veterans Commission, Sandy looks forward to honoring veterans with the highest level of professional and compassionate service possible.

Sandy MacFarland

Veterans Service Officer
Phone Number: 307-696-5048
Counties Serviced: Campbell, Crook, Weston

Darrin Brahaney

Cemetery Director
Darrin Brahaney is the Cemetery Director for the Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery. Darrin started with the Wyoming Veterans Commission in May 2001 as Assistant Cemetery Director and has been the Cemetery Director since May 2016. He is grateful to those men and women who have served this great country and strives to provide a final resting place that bestows honor on their service.
Travis Beckman is the Assistant Cemetery Director for the Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery and has been with the Wyoming Veterans Commission since October 2020. Travis spent a decade in the USAF as Security Forces and deployed to numerous countries in and around Southwest Asia. Upon exiting the military, Travis went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration and Security. He chose to take on this position for the simple fact that we take care of each other. Whether it is for a veteran or their loved ones, we are here for them. It is truly an honor to be serving again in a different capacity.

Travis Beckman

Assistant Cemetery Director
Kaci Nicks

Kaci Nicks​

Military Records Supervisor​

Kaci Nicks is the Military Records Supervisor and has been with the Wyoming Veterans Commission for four years. She attended Laramie County Community College, University of Idaho, and Boise State University. Kaci has experience working as a librarian, historian, and barista. There’s nothing she loves more than a great cup of coffee and the feeling she gets from helping Wyoming’s Veterans.

Michael Baer is the Military Records Clerk. With almost a decade of customer service experience, he wanted to leave the world of retail for more meaningful work, and has found it with the Wyoming Veterans Commission. He enjoys employing the skills he picked up working in bookstores to help veterans find the information they need.

Michael Baer

Military Records Technician

Kenton Franklin

Retiree Support Assistant

Kenton Franklin serves as the part time contractor to support Wyoming National Guard Retirees.  He served in the Wyoming National Guard for 37 years and served as the Brigade CSM during the 115th Fires Brigade deployment in 2009 and 2010. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Excelsior University of New York and is active in the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, serving on the resolutions and legislative committees

John Woodward is the Director of Museums for the Wyoming Military Department and has been with the Wyoming Veterans Commission for two and a half years. John has degrees in history and anthropology. He has been working in the museum field for over a decade, mostly as a small museum administrator. John enjoys preserving and sharing the history of the Wyoming National Guard and veterans. These timeless stories keep the past alive while inspiring the next generation.

John Woodward

Director of Museums
Daisy Allen

Daisy Allen

Veterans Memorial Museum Curator

Daisy Allen is the Curator at the Wyoming Veteran Memorial Museum. Daisy
has a degree in History and Museum Studies. She has had multiple years of
experience working within museum collections and public outreach. She is
grateful to those men and women who have served this great country and
looks forward to sharing the rich history of Wyoming service members.

Contact Us

Veterans and Families - Get Your Earned Benefits

Complete the form today
or call us at
(800) 833-5987

5800 Central Ave. (Office Location)

5410 Bishop Blvd. (Mailing Address)

Cheyenne, WY 82009

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