Women warriors’ evolution, challenges, and triumphs

The 21st century has witnessed significant advancements for women in the military. This blog explores their contributions, policies affecting them, and their ongoing challenges.

Global War on Terrorism: Iraq and Afghanistan
The Global War on Terrorism is a counterterrorism campaign initiated by the United States after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Both the Afghanistan and Iraq wars were significant in terms of women veterans' contributions. They saw an increased deployment of women in combat roles, highlighting the evolving role of women in the military.

The lifting of the ban on women serving in direct ground combat roles in 2013 marked a significant policy change. This change allowed women to serve in various capacities, from combat medics to intelligence officers. This change underscored women's evolving role in the military and highlighted their adaptability, courage and importance in modern military operations.

A notable milestone in this ongoing evolution was the 2015 decision by the U.S. military to open all combat jobs to women, eliminating previous restrictions and providing female service members with equal opportunities to serve in any capacity. This further demonstrated the military's commitment to recognizing and leveraging the capabilities of women in all aspects of military service.

Demographics and Progress of Women in the Military
Since integrating women into the military, their roles and contributions have evolved significantly. The Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 allowed women to serve as permanent, regular armed forces members, which paved the way for increased participation in military operations. Over 3 million women have served in or with the U.S. Armed Forces since the American Revolution, contributing to the military's strength and readiness.

Women in the U.S. Military: Evolving Roles and Growing Presence
The landscape of the U.S. military has been undergoing a significant transformation, with women becoming an increasingly vital part of the armed forces. This shift is highlighted by recent data from the Department of Defense's 2022 Demographic Profile, which shows that women now represent 17.5% of the active-duty force and 21.6% of the National Guard and reserves.

Projected Changes in Veteran Demographics
Looking ahead, the demographic landscape of veterans is expected to change as well. According to projections by the RAND Corporation, by 2032, at least 14% of veterans will be women, up from approximately 10% today. This increase is significant, especially considering that the overall number of veterans is projected to decrease by 17% during the same period.

These changing demographics underscore the need for continued advocacy and support to address the unique needs of women veterans. Access to women-specific health care, assistance with the military-to-civilian transition, and recognition of their diverse experiences are critical focus areas. To this end, VA health-care facilities nationwide have Women Veterans Program Managers in place to advocate for and coordinate the services women veterans require.

Despite these advancements, women warriors face challenges within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system. Over half (55.2%) use non-VA providers, citing easier access, more convenient appointment times and better-quality care. Additionally, more than half (53%) reported difficulty in getting needed care for physical injuries or problems, which is a higher proportion than their male counterparts (42%).

VA recently announced that it is delivering disability compensation benefits to a record number of women veterans, with 702,557 veterans currently receiving benefits — an increase of 26% over five years. The average woman veteran receiving disability compensation benefits has a 68% combined disability rating and gets an average of $26,809 per year from VA. The grant rate for women veterans is notably high at 89.2%, indicating that a significant majority of women veterans who apply for disability benefits receive them for at least one condition. This uptick in benefits for women veterans is largely attributed to the PACT Act, which has expanded health care and benefits for millions of veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards during their service.
Additional Challenges: Financial, Mental, and Social Health
Women veterans face a range of challenges that can impact their financial stability, mental health, and social well-being.

Financial Challenges: Many women veterans experience financial difficulties after leaving the service. Their unemployment rate is notably higher than that of male veterans. According to the Wounded Warrior Project's Women Veterans Initiative Report, 32% of women warriors reported a household income of less than $35,000, compared to 27% of male warriors. Additionally, 35% of women warriors reported difficulty affording groceries, compared to 26% of male warriors.

Mental Health Challenges: Mental health issues are more prevalent among women veterans compared to their male counterparts. The Wounded Warrior Project report indicates that 78% of women warriors reported experiencing anxiety, and over 60% reported experiencing depression. Furthermore, women warriors are more likely to report symptoms consistent with moderate or severe PTSD (82%) compared to male warriors (77%).

Social Health Challenges: The transition from military to civilian life can be particularly challenging for women veterans, who often face discrepancies in perceptions between themselves and male veterans. The Wounded Warrior Project report reveals that 70% of women warriors feel isolated from civilian life, and only 39% are satisfied with their social life. This isolation can be attributed to the tendency of women veterans to keep their military and civilian lives separate, not discussing their military experiences with civilian friends.

Policy Impacts and Future Directions
Since 2001, U.S. military policies have significantly improved conditions for women veterans. The Deborah Sampson Act, part of the broader Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, was a landmark legislation addressing women veterans' unique challenges. It established a dedicated Office of Women’s Health within the VA, enhanced care standards, and mandated policies to end harassment and sexual assault at VA facilities. Additionally, the act improved legal services for women veterans, focusing on unmet needs identified by the CHALENG survey.

Military branches have also developed initiatives to support women in their ranks:

Marine Corps: Proactive measures include comprehensive welfare programs, childcare facilities at bases and a higher proportion of female officers, fostering an environment of inclusivity and diversity. Air Force: Initiatives like the Air Mobility Command's Reach Athena and the Women's Initiative Teamwork focus on removing barriers to women's service and promoting diversity. Enhancing lateral entry programs aims to increase diversity in senior leadership, particularly in the cyber and space workforces. These efforts demonstrate the military's commitment to creating an inclusive environment that values women's contributions. Advocacy for policies and programs supporting the unique needs of women veterans and servicemembers remains crucial for ensuring equitable access to opportunities and resources.

Conclusion: Empowering Women Veterans in a New Era
The 21st century has been a transformative period for women in the U.S. military. Women have played significant roles in the Global War on Terrorism and demonstrated resilience, leadership, and a strong commitment to their country. The government has enacted policies like the Deborah Sampson Act and the Forever GI Bill, reflecting a shift toward inclusivity and support for women veterans. These measures, along with the efforts of advocacy groups and specialized VA programs, are essential in addressing the unique challenges faced by women in the military. The projected increase in women veterans by 2032 highlights the importance of continued advocacy and policy development. As the military promotes diversity and inclusion, breaking down barriers to women's participation in combat roles, it is crucial to leverage the full potential of all service members. In summary, this century has marked a period of progress for women in the military. Their contributions have strengthened the nation's defense and enriched our military history. Honoring, supporting, and empowering these courageous women will remain a priority.

References:
115th Congress. (2017-2018). H.R.3218 - Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/3218/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22hr+3218%22%5D%7D&r=1

Council on Foreign Relations. (2020, July 13). Demographics of the U.S. military. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/demographics-us-military

Defence.gov. (2022, December 14). Department of Defense releases annual demographics report — Upward trend in number of women serving continues. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3246268/department-of-defense-releases-annual-demographics-report-upward-trend-in-numbe/

Department of Defense. (2022). Department of Defense 2022 demographic profile. USNI News. https://news.usni.org/2023/11/29/department-of-defense-2022-demographic-profile

Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024, March 21). VA delivers record number of benefits to women Veterans. VA News. https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-record-benefits-delivered-women-veterans/

IAVA. (2021, January 6). IAVA celebrates the Deborah Sampson Act becoming law following a four-year campaign and the president’s signature. https://iava.org/press_releases/iava-celebrates-final-congressional-passage-of-deborah-sampson-act-following-years-long-campaign-2/

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RAND Corporation. (2021). Improving support for veteran women: Veterans' issues in focus. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1165z7.html

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U.S. Department of Defense. (2022). 2022 demographics: Profile of the military community. https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Reports/2022-demographics-report.pdf

USO. (2023, February 28). Over 200 years of service: The history of women in the U.S. military. https://www.uso.org/stories/3005-over-200-years-of-service-the-history-of-women-in-the-us-military

VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans. (2022). 2022 biennial report. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. https://www.womenshealth.va.gov/WOMENSHEALTH/facts.asp

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Women Veterans Health Care. (n.d.). Facts and statistics. https://www.womenshealth.va.gov/WOMENSHEALTH/facts.asp

Wounded Warrior Project. (2023, September 19). The new report highlights the unique challenges female veterans face after service. https://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/2023-09-19-New-Report-Highlights-Unique-Challenges-Female-Veterans-Face-After-Service