Often Overlooked But Always There

With November 11th being Veterans Day I would like to pay tribute to veterans that don’t get the recognition they deserve and give them some information they might not know. About 12% of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) veterans are women. Another 18% of National Guard and Reserves are women. Combined with all of the other female veterans there are a lot of women have served over the years. These veterans are finally starting to utilize the Veterans Administration (VA) healthcare system and it appears the VA has finally noticed the needs of all veterans, not just the males. According to representatives from the VA there have been some major changes in their system for female veterans. According to the VA 6% of their users are females with an estimated 641,000 who have enrolled and about 620,000 who use their VA benefits. Gloria is one of those women who deployed with the National Guard and now utilize the VA health care system as her primary medical needs. She is happy with the service she receives at the VA and all I can say is, it’s about time female veterans get what they need and deserve.

I recently attended a training conducted by the VA on the needs of female veterans. I go to these trainings because I have multiple female clients and friends. I am always looking for ways to help them and training and contacts is key to helping all veterans. Gloria has had a positive experience with the women’s clinic at the VA. She gets her medical needs met and feels safe there which is a change from her past experiences. It is when I hear stories like Gloria’s that I want to get the word out. The VA appears to be trying to change the culture towards females, it’s about time. During the training the VA official actually admitted they have been fundamentally flawed when it came to women’s issues. They have had a history of catering to men having little regard for female veterans in the past and they are trying to change.

During her presentation, the VA official brought to light some changes in the system that caters to female veterans. In the past there were only doctors trained for men’s issues, female issues were secondary, if at all. The VA now has a women’s clinic with a doctor trained to treat female veteran’s needs. When calling patients from the waiting room, they use to call all names of veterans as Mr. In military culture, it is normal to be called by last names. According to the reprehensive the VA is trying to use last names when calling patients limiting the possibility of getting the gender wrong. There are now children’s changing tables in restrooms, both men and women’s, and more female restrooms. It does appear times are changing for the better I just hope it continues.

I have come to realize over the years the VA is not transparent as they should be. When I asked for an interview with the Women Veterans Program manager I was told I would have to go through public affairs for an interview. I have talked to several female veterans about their military experiences and why they don’t want to be recognized as a veteran. I would like to hear from the VA their thoughts on why so many female veterans do not identify as veterans, or don’t want to be recognized as being a veteran. Why don’t they stand up and get the credit and respect they have earned? Are female veterans embarrassed to be a veteran? Does the shame of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) prevent women from admitting they are veterans? Is it because civilian men who did not serve treat female veterans differently when they learn that the female served and they didn’t?  Why are female veterans 3 times more likely to be single parents? Why don’t they stand up and be recognized in public? Do they not feel accepted at veteran’s service organizations? Do male veterans make them feel uncomfortable? These are tough questions that only female veterans can answer and needs to be looked at. I would like to know what the VA believes and what they are planning to do about it.

It is important that our society gives credit and respect to our female veterans, they have earned it. I support them and always have. My wife is a veteran, I have friends, clients, and students who are female veterans. I can never fully understand what some female veterans went through while serving, but I can empathize and be an ally. When I attend female veteran’s events I feel I’m not wanted there, and I understand, I could have been a MST perpetrator. I have been told that females don’t want me at some events. I was told that I could not attend a female veteran’s event last year that I helped plan and organize. Of the 50 or so people who were at the training about female veteran’s issues I attended there were 4 men. One worked for the county, and another worked for the VA. This is troubling because female veterans need male allies. There are a lot of men that want to help, we just need to be accepted. I would like female veterans to let males they know and trust help them get what they have earned. They need to stand up proud and let the world know that they matter and get the respect they have earned. There are a lot of female veterans that stand up and get noticed for their service, but many I have talked to stay in the shadows. I want all of the female veterans in the shadows to come out and let us thank them for their service to our country. Happy Veterans Day to all veterans, especially the sheroes!   

 For questions or comments, I can be reached at bo@afterdutyvets.com or visit our website at afterdutyvets.com.