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Facts About Women Veterans

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Women Veterans Profile

The number of women Veterans in the US is increasing. Some seek care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), but most (over 80%) seek care from community providers or at academic medical centers.
Women make up approximately
  • 15% of new VA enrollees
  • 14.5% of active-duty military
  • 18% of National Guard and Reserve forces
  • 12% of Veterans from recent conflicts
  • 6% of VA health care users

Women's Military Profile

Active Duty Women by Service Branch
Service Branch Percentage of Women
Army 13.4%
Navy 15.9%
Marine Corps 6.6%
Air Force 19.2%
Coast Guard 13.4%
National Guard & Reserves 17.9%
Of Active Duty women, 82% are Enlisted and 18% are Officers.

Of women in the National Guard and Reserves, 85% are Enlisted and 15% are Officers.

America's Women Veterans

  • In Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, the average age of women Veterans was 48 years, compared to 63 years for their male counterparts.
  • A greater proportion of women Veterans are Black or Hispanic than their male counterparts.
  • Women Veterans are less likely to be married than their male counterparts.
  • In FY 2009 and FY 2010 PTSD, hypertension, and depression were the top three diagnostic categories for women Veterans treated by VHA.
  • About 1 in 5 women seen in VHA respond "yes" when screened for Military Sexual Trauma (MST).

Women Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND)

  • Women make up nearly 11.6 percent of OEF/OIF/OND Veterans.
  • 57% of women OEF/OIF/OND Veterans have received VA health care; of these, 89.8 percent have used VA health care more than once.
  • Nearly 51% of female OEF/OIF/OND Veterans who used VA care during FY 2002-2011 were born in or after 1970 (aged 43 or younger) compared to nearly 48 percent of male OEF/OIF/OND Veterans.

Women in the Military

  • Women who have served in the military don't always identify themselves as Veterans.
  • While women have traditionally served "behind the lines" in support roles, the actual "front lines" in current conflicts are blurred. With the 2013 decision to allow women to serve in combat, military roles and health implications will continue to evolve.
  • Women serve in combat support units as gunners, police, pilots, truck drivers and fuel suppliers.
  • Like their male counterparts women are exposed to unpredictable warfare such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), mortars, and in some cases are exposed to extreme temperature.
  • While the focus is often on Veterans from current/recent conflicts, there are more than 800,000 women Veterans in the 45-64 year age group and more than 300,000 Vets in the over 65 age group.
  • Women wear uniforms and gear weighing up to 90 pounds.

Photos of gear worn Photo of a woman and the gear worn Group photo of women in gear they wear

VHA Healthcare Services for Women Veterans:

  • The Women Veterans Call Center can help women access information about benefits, eligibility, and health care services.
    Call:
  • Women who are honorably discharged from the military may qualify for a variety of benefits, including health care benefits. This eligibility is based on multiple criteria. See benefits and eligibility information in Resources section.
  • Each Veteran's Health Administration facility nationwide has a designated Women Veteran Program Manager who advocates for women and provides leadership in establishing, coordinating, and integrating quality healthcare services for women.
  • Comprehensive women's health (defined as preventive care, care for acute and chronic illness, and gender specific care) is provided at all VHA healthcare facilities. Additionally, many sites have specialized women's clinics.
  • VHA provides full reproductive care for women, including contraception, infertility, and menopause management.
  • Pregnancy care and 7 days of newborn care for eligible women Veterans is paid for by VA and provided through arrangements with community providers.
  • VA provides mental health services at VA Medical Centers, Community Based Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers.
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