Being a woman in a man's military: The impact of military service on the lives of older U.S. women Veterans

Introduction: Women Veterans represent a growing and unique minority group among the older (aged ≥65 y) U.S. Veteran population. Research indicates that the impact of serving in the military on Veterans' health and well-being varies by gender. Limited research exists specific to women Veterans' experiences of their time in the military and its long-term impact on their health and well-being. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of older U.S. women Veterans regarding their experiences and perceptions of their time in military service and its overall impact on their lives. Methods: Data were gathered from five older women Veterans using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using a thematic coding process. Results: Four main themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: 1) family military history, 2) being treated differently and proving themselves, 3) making the most of opportunities, and 4) lasting personal strengths. Discussion: Findings from this study show that despite enduring negative experiences during military service because of their gender, participants credited the military with having an overall positive impact on their lives in the long term. This study suggests that health care professionals would benefit from gaining an understanding of the historical narrative of women Veterans. Interventions and services that tap into positive aspects of military service, as identified by older women Veterans (i.e., personal strengths such as resilience and pride), may help promote the health and well-being of this population.