Strength Heroism Excellence

The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) partnered with the Department of Defense (DoD) to implement the Women’s Health Transition Training. The program is designed to provide servicewomen with a deeper understanding of available women’s health services within VA and the VA enrollment process for an easier health care transition.

What began as a pilot training at five Air Force bases in July 2018, has expanded to an official VA program, serving several Army, Navy, and Marine Corps installations. As of June 2019, 390 servicewomen have participated at 50 in-person training sessions. This program is currently available as both in-person and virtual sessions.

According to VA, women are the fastest growing subgroup of U.S. Veterans. They face greater health-related challenges after military service compared to their male counterparts, including: chronic pain, obesity, musculoskeletal issues, depression and suicide. Since 2001, age-adjusted rates of suicide among women Veterans have increased by 62.4 percent, versus 29.7 percent among men. Further data collection uncovered that fewer women Veterans seek services and support from the VA than men do. For example, women Veterans with a psychiatric diagnosis do not connect with VA mental health care until a median of 2.4 years postmilitary service versus a median of 2.1 years for men.

Our curriculum is focused on increasing knowledge around the deployment-related conditions servicewomen and women Veterans experience and the ways in which VA has changed its culture to become more inclusive of women. This includes the significant infrastructural changes to create safe spaces and the increase in providers and faculty trained in women-specific health services and care. 

We invite all transitioning servicewomen and eligible Veteran women to attend our in-person courses that are currently being provided in multiple locations nationwide.

To attend an upcoming course at one of the available locations, please reach out to the site contact provided in the table below. In addition, please visit our training page for real-time logistical updates and new training sites. 

 

Fort Jackson, S.C.

6 August 2019

22 October 2019

Call the Transition Service Manager at 803-751-1723

MacDill AFB, Fla.

12 August 2019

28 October 2019

Visit the Military and Family Readiness Center or call 813-828-0145

Joint Base Andrews, Md.

13 September 2019

1 November 2019

Visit the Airman and Family Readiness Center or call 301-981-2450

Pentagon, Va.

19 July 2019

4 October 2019

Visit the Airman and Family Readiness Center or call 703-693-9460

Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

18 July 2019

31 October 2019

Visit the Airman and Family Readiness Center or call 937-257-3592

Naval Base San Diego, Calif.

27 August 2019

5 November 2019

Call Mr. Stan Beason at 619-556-9874

Norfolk Naval Station, Va.

16 August 2019

4 October 2019

Visit the Fleet and Family Readiness Center or call 757-444-6089

Joint Base Lewis McChord, Wa.

22 August 2019

17 October 2019

Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/womens-health-transition-pilot-training-at-jblm-tickets-5126126482 or call 253-477-4744

MCRD Parris Island, S.C.

8 August 2019

24 October 2019

Call 843-228-2761

Fort Bragg, N.C.

11 September 2019

4 December 2019

Email the Transition Services Manager at William.b.McMillian.civ@mail.mil

349th AMW Travis, Calif.

3 November 2019

Call the Airmen & Family Readiness Center at 707-424-7600

MCB Camp Pendleton, Calif.

26 August 2019

4 November 2019