Private Schaeffer was a U.S. army private who makes a one time appearance on the CBS-TV series M*A*S*H during the Season 6 episode "Fade Out, Fade In". The part of Schaeffer was played by actor Rick Hurst.
About Schaeffer[]
Schaeffer is an impersonator, and after arriving at the MASH as a patient and meeting Klinger in a nurse's dress, spots an opportunity for a con. He tells Klinger that if he has been dressing as a woman for two years, then he is eligible for a Section 8. He says he knows, as he is a Captain, and a lawyer from the Adjutant General Branch (perhaps he ought to have said Judge Advocate General's Branch).
He takes Klinger to see Potter, claiming to be Klinger's lawyer and demanding that a formal hearing be convened. So later when Klinger to Potter's office and told to bring his "lawyer", naturally he is delighted. Klinger even thinks the M.P.s outside the office are an escort for him.
Inside with Potter, Schaeffer asks where the review board is. "Road apples, private," says Potter. Potter now tells Klinger that Schaeffer is actually a private and has been trying to get his own Section 8 for longer than Klinger has. In his time, Schaeffer has been busted twice and spent four months in prison. He has impersonated a doctor, a bombardier, a tank commander, even a chaplain. Somewhere, "twenty-five couples are living in sin," Schaeffer admits. Potter calls the M.Ps. in to take him away. Schaeffer leaves cheerfully, saying he was once an M.P. too. Klinger is devastated, but Potter consoles him and tells him not to feel too bad - Schaeffer is a pro. "You'll make it some day," he tells Klinger.
Schaeffer demands a review board for Klinger. Klinger bothers to dress up properly in a WAC uniform for this. Pity Schaeffer remains in a dressing gown.
Schaeffer about to be taken away. If this really was going to be a review board, Schaeffer should have been in dress uniform. But maybe he knew he was going to be busted.