Transition Services Utilization Among US Women Veterans: A Secondary Analysis of a National Survey

The purpose of this study was to explore the military-to-civilian transition experiences among US women veterans. This study used a cross-sectional, mixed-methods survey research study to examine employment and personal well-being outcomes (sense of purpose) among a sample size of 822 women veterans. The survey instrument focused broadly on measuring different aspects of military transition. The quantitative analysis revealed, through the multivariable logistic regression models, a strong sense of purpose associated with belief in the helpfulness of transition services (aOR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.06–3.90) and the use of a transition coach (3.43, 95% CI = 1.20–9.82). The qualitative analysis revealed, through manual content analysis, that 64% of women veterans used transition services. However, only 12% reported satisfaction with the available services. The study’s findings present important feedback for organizations hoping to reach female veterans, such as many female veterans feel that the current efforts to assist with their transition are ineffective. For this study, women and female will be used interchangeably.