Each year, approximately 30,000 Servicewomen transition back to civilian life. Women are now the fastest-growing cohort within the Veteran community. The military to civilian transition occurs within a complex network of relationships, programs, services and benefits, which includes transition planning and assistance from a variety of resources.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) created the Women’s Health Transition Training (WHTT) to help transitioning Servicewomen and recently separated women Veterans understand the health care benefits and services available to them. The online, self-paced training is available to take any time, any place at tapevents.mil and is designed to complement VA’s Transition Assistance Program. WHTT aims to prepare Servicewomen and women Veterans for Veterans Health Administration enrollment. After taking the course, participants will be able to:
- Describe what it means to be an advocate for their own health care once they separate from the military
- See a place for themselves at VA for their health care needs
- Consider VA as a viable option for health care and know what services may be available to them
- Know how to enroll in VA services
- Understand some of the challenges with civilian reintegration and the services VA has to offer
As you transition out of the military, it is important that you become proactive about your health and fully understand your health care options.
If you are a Servicewoman who will be transitioning to civilian life or the reserve components within the next calendar year, this training can be a great resource for you. Transition is not only a career change, but it is also a psychological and cultural adjustment, and it will require you to develop your own unique path for a rewarding post-military life. As you transition out of the military, it is important that you become proactive about your health and fully understand your health care options.
VA provides a full spectrum of women’s health care services, including primary, general medicine, mental health, reproductive and maternity care. VA has made significant strides to become a place for women Veterans to receive high-quality health care from providers that understand their unique health care needs. You will need to set goals for your health and well-being and work toward and manage them, and VA is ready to help you get started.