Maj Shiffrin was commissioned in 1970 through AFROTC at the University of Arizona. He spent 20 years on active duty as a software engineer, primarily shuttling between Colorado and the DC area, with a year in Korea. His military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with one Oak Leaf Cluster), Joint Service Commendation Medal (with one Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Force Commendation Medal (with One Oak Leaf Cluster), Korea Defense Medal.

After retiring from the Air Force, Maj Shiffrin worked as a software engineer for a number of defense contractors, retiring for good on 30 May 2012.

Maj Shiffrin served as Treasurer and President of Homeowners’ Associations in both Colorado Springs CO and Glen Burnie MD.

Since retiring from the Air Force, Maj Shiffrin has been active in MOAA where he served as Treasurer and President of the Fort Meade Chapter, and Webmaster for the Maryland Council of Chapters. He is also active in the Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW), serving as Senior Vice Commander and Commander of the MG George G Meade Chapter; currently serving as Adjutant, ROTC Coordinator, and Scouting Coordinator. He also volunteers at the USO (at BWI Airport and at Fort Meade), Operation Welcome Home (welcoming troops home from Europe and the CENTOM Area Of Responsibility, currently serving as Treasurer of the organization), and Honor Flight (welcoming WW II, Korea, and Viet Nam veterans on their way to visit the Memorials in DC). In 2020, he was appointed by Governor Hogan as a Commissioner on the Maryland Veterans’ Commission, representing MOAA. He is also on the Board of Directors of Voices of Vets, a veteran-oriented musical group. He recently took on two additional jobs - he is Treasurer of his Synagogue in Columbia MD, and is the Webmaster for the Maryland Military Coalition.

Maj Shiffrin resides in Severn MD. He has three sons. Paul and John are both software engineers, and Mark is a B-52 Weapons Systems Officer (also an Air Force Major).