Women have served in America’s wars and conflicts throughout our history. The contributions made by the women in the military both in and out of service cannot be overstated. Women in the military have used their skills and experiences from their military service to make achievements in their careers and their communities. Information and data in this document are from various sources centered on service experience, transition, employment, entrepreneurship, and higher education.
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A Few Key Takeaways
Current Population of Women in the Military
Top 3 Motivations for Military Service
Experiences for IAVA Women Veteran Members
7 out of 10 would recommend military service to a family member or friend.
75% felt pride from their accomplishments during their military service.
Transition Experiences for IAVA Women Veteran Members
62% describe their overall transition from active duty to veteran status as difficult, while 38% described it as smooth.
Prepared to Navigate
Prepared
The transition to post-service employment
Access to post-service education
The resources available in your local community
The healthcare and benefits system
Unprepared
Prepared to Navigate
Prepared |
| Unprepared |
36% | The transition to post-service employment | 52% |
48% | Access to post-service education | 36% |
22% | The resources available in your local community (e.g., housing assistance, financial counseling, legal services) | 62% |
37% | The healthcare and benefits system (e.g., access to medical, physical, and mental health services) | 51% |
Transition Challenges
51% experience MANY challenges when transitioning out of the military.
Top 3 challenges:
Employment for Women Veterans
Unemployment in 2021
Median Earnings in 2019
The unemployment rate for women veterans was 4.2% {this is slightly LOWER than the total veteran unemployment rate which was at 4.4%}
$47,000 earnings for women veterans {HIGHER compared to the total population who earn about $42,600 YET LOWER compared to male veteran counterparts who earn about $61,100}
Top 5 Industries for Women Veterans in 2019
Entrepreneurship for Women Veterans
Education for Women Veterans
In 2021, 83% of post-9/11 women veterans have some college degree or higher