‘Women’s health at the VA? Really?’ Yes indeed.

‘Women’s health at the VA? Really?’ Yes indeed. There certainly is. How do you find out about it? The Veteran Women’s Health Reengagement training, a training geared toward women Veterans who are unengaged in VA health care.

Many of us leave the military without fully understanding our VA health benefits. I know I nearly did. After ten years of active duty in the Air Force and another twenty plus in the Air Force Reserves, I was focused more on the three ‘R’s: retirement, resumes, and mortgage refinancing.

I first heard about women’s health at the VA in one of those post-deployment VA briefings. When I was back home and had unpacked my ‘mo-bags’, I went to a nearby VA clinic to enroll. There was a volunteer in the lobby who was so rude to me that I decided it wasn’t worth it, and I walked out. But the following year I took the first Women’s Health Transition Training course. The excellent facilitator encouraged me to try again because that rude person should not be the one to stand between me and a benefit I earned through nearly three decades in the military. While I was skeptical, I did return to enroll and I’m glad I did.

When I look back on my work log – you know those 5x8 green hardcover books we military types use – I see the reminder to attend ‘a VA Women’s health training’. What I learned in that classroom changed my understanding of VA health care and the services available to me as a woman Veteran. I learned about the range of VA women’s health services, how to access them, and whom to call if I need help navigating the system. It also changed the trajectory of my professional life- I became a trainer for the VA Women’s Health Transition Training and am now a trainer for the VA Women’s Health Reengagement Training.

So, my Service Sisters, whether you left the service last year or thirty years ago, this training is for you. Whether you have private health insurance or not, this training is for you. Whether you have TRICARE or not, this training is for you. If you’ve ever walked into a VA facility and then walked out, as I did, this training is for you too. There are virtual and in-person training sessions, so whether you live in a rural or a metropolitan area, you can still access this training and connect with other sister Veterans.

As a trainer in this Women’s Health Reengagement program, I get to meet women Veterans across the country from all services and eras, each with their own stories - what a privilege. Thank you for your service.

Sign up for the VA Women’s Health Reengagement Training by visiting https://bit.ly/womensheart_RP and learn what Veteran- and women-centered VA health services are available to you. Virtual and in-person sessions available.