Women Veterans

As you may know we in the VFW Department of Arizona are privileged to have as our State Commander, Betty Gripp, the first woman commander in the history of the department.

The articles that follow have been taken from the Veterans of Foreign Wars National magazine.  They all pertain to women in the Military and the effect that it has on all veteran organizations. After reading these articles you will see why the VFW must reach out to these Comrades; for indeed they are Comrades.

We in our posts need to have more representatives for the position of “Women Veteran’s Advocate.”   Do you fit the description?  Join and help us work with the “Women Coordinators” at each VA medical center and regional office to ensure we receive our benefit entitlements and counseling needed for those women that already served and those that are serving or just recently got our of the military.

To the women who read these pages please take some time to consider joining  the elite of all veteran’s organizations, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.  We welcome you as our Comrades.  Carpe Diem!  Seize the Day!

Between 1990 and 2000, the women veteran population increased by 33.3 percent and now represent approximately 7 percent of the total veteran population.  By 2010, it is projected that women veterans will comprise well over 10 percent of the veteran population.

Currently women make up 15 percent of the active duty force and approximately 23 percent of the reserve force.

What health care services are available to women veterans?
Women veterans are eligible for the same VA benefits as male veterans.   As a result of Public Law 102-585, the VA has established Women Veterans' Comprehensive Health Centers to develop new and enhanced programs focusing on the unique health-care needs of women veterans.

Many of the centers are structured under a primary care model, which provides a coordinated approach to the provision of medical, surgical, and psychological care for women patients. In addition, VA medical centers have made structural changes and renovated areas to ensure privacy for women veterans.  Women veterans' coordinators at each VA medical center and regional office are available to help women veterans access their benefit entitlements and counsel women veterans seeking treatment and benefits.

In addition to routine medical care, each VA medical facility can provide eligible women veterans the following:

■  Complete physical exams that include breast and pelvic examinations,

■  Gynecology services,

■  Referral for necessary services that may not be available at that facility and

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