News
Enlisted Women Train for Duty on Kings Bay Sub
Sunday, August 7, 2016 | Category: Combat - National
Currently, 38 enlisted women are training to serve on Ohio-class submarines stationed at Kings Bay, Georgia, Naval Submarine Base. A group of female sailors have already completed training in Bangor, Washington and will be assigned to the ballistic submarine USS Michigan crew.
Why Female Veterans Have a Higher Rate of Suicide Than Civilian Counterparts
Saturday, August 6, 2016 | Category: Suicide - National
Pre-2015, the number of female veterans who committed suicide was unknown. Now that researchers are examining this issue, they quickly became aware that "the numbers are staggering: Female vets are six times more likely to commit suicide than their civilian counterparts; while male vets are just twice as likely to commit suicide than male civilians." Additionally, a recent Department of Veterans Affairs study showed "that the rate of suicide among female veterans is several times higher than that of women in the general population." There is a high rate of Military Sexual Trauma in the same population who commit suicide as well as those who consider attempting suicide. Many women "who say they were pressed for sex" feel betrayed by the military and their country. The "Female Veterans Suicide Prevention" bill requires the VA to identify the most effective suicide prevention programs. All veterans, their families, caregivers or anyone assisting a veteran considering suicide should call the VA Crisis Line at 800-273-8255 (press 1) or text 838255.
Female Veterans Suicide Prevention Act Signed into Law
Tuesday, August 2, 2016 | Category: Suicide - National
President Obama signed the "Female Veterans Suicide Prevention Act into law on June 30, 2016. The law is intended to ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs assesses their mental health and suicide programs to more effectively serve female veterans. National statistics reveal that at least 22 veterans commit suicide daily. The rate of female veteran suicides is very high.
Congress’s Four Female Combat Veterans Are Speaking Up on Military Issues
Tuesday, August 2, 2016 | Category: Legislation - National
There are 102 veterans serving in Congress...four are females with combat service time. They have become "go-to" military-related legislation authorities in what use to be a male veteran-dominated arena. Each are proud of their service, had diverse military experiences and memories, and today have differing ideological perspectives on various military issues. A majority of House and Senate Armed Services Committee members supported Selective Service registration for women ages 18 to 25 and all four are in favor of women being subject to a draft when one is deemed necessary.
Military Women Take Key Roles at the Party Conventions
Wednesday, July 27, 2016 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - National
Women veterans spoke at both the Republican and Democratic conventions. They highlighted their pride in serving their country. National advocates emphasized that until women are recognized as veterans, they'll continue to face challenges in availability and access to veteran services and benefits.
Focusing on Women Veterans at VFW National Convention
Tuesday, July 26, 2016 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - National
Women veterans' health care and benefits was the focus of a panel at the 117th Veterans of Foreign Wars convention held in Charlotte, North Carolina July 23-27, 2016. The VFW's Women's Advisory Team, three former VFW state commanders and the Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans Director and the Deputy Chief Consultant Women Health Services participated in a panel discussion. The Department of Veterans Affairs staff left with at least seven concerns.
Legion Extends Women Veterans Survey to August 18, 2016
Monday, July 18, 2016 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - National
The American Legion extended its deadline for its survey of women veterans to August 18, 2016. To date 1900 women with military experience have participated. Survey results are used to inform the American Legion on recommendations to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Congress, and enhance public awareness of women's military service. Your voice matters...encourage others to take the survey...make a difference for women who served in the military...past, present, and future!
DoD Safe Helpline Offers Specialized Support to Sexual Assault Victims
Friday, July 15, 2016 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - National
The "Safe Helpline" is the Department of Defense's (DOD) sexual assault hotline. DoD community members affected by sexual assault can access 24/7, secure, confidential, anonymous support through the DoD "Safe Helpline" at https://safehelpline.org, or by calling (877) 995-5247. In 2011, DOD contracted RAINN, the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization to operate the "Safe Helpline." To date, more than 60,000 sexual assault survivors, family members, and colleagues as well as a million others have accessed information and resources on this website. Other services offered include an online chatroom (Safe HelpRoom) where "survivors of sexual assault in the military can connect with and support one another in a moderated, secure environment." Like the telephone hotline, online helpline and Info by Text services, the Safe HelpRoom is also available 24/7. Additionally, there is a "self-care mobile app" tailored for military sexual assault victims/survivors and accessible anywhere in the world without an internet connection. This app is downloadable free from the iOS and Android app stores.
Women Veterans' Health Curriculum: VA Offers Online Educational Campus to Public
Thursday, July 7, 2016 | Category: Health Care - National
The Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) "Women's Health Curriculum" is available to the public. A great deal of women's health care that the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) does not yet offer at its nationwide Medical Centers and/or community-based clinics is fee-serviced out to community providers. These courses may prove beneficial to providers caring for women with military service.
VHA began providing medical and psychosocial services to women in 1988, when women represented 4.4% of all Veterans. Today, women Veterans make up more than 15% of the total US Veteran population. The majority of new female Veterans served in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and VHA recognizes that both provider and nursing personnel could benefit from a program to update their competencies in women's health.
‘Low Hanging Fruit’ Exposes Lives of Homeless Women Veterans
Thursday, July 7, 2016 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - California
Bay Area-based playwright Robin Bradford tackled a difficult subject when she "tells the tale of four female veterans, who, after surviving the horrors of Iraq and Afghanistan, must contend with the brutalities of life on Los Angeles’ Skid Row, living in a tent encampment under a freeway." She shares that she was initially inspired by a 2013 Huffington Post article and later, her visits with women veterans and Department of Veterans Affairs representatives on Skid Row.