Career & Employment Resources for Women Veterans
You spent years in service learning leadership, discipline, logistics, medicine, technology, and crisis management — skills civilian employers need and rarely find in one candidate. The gap is not your ability; it is a system that does a poor job of translating what you already know into the language employers speak, and an even worse job of telling you which programs exist to bridge that gap. This page puts every major career and employment program for women veterans in one place, in plain English, with the real eligibility rules, the real phone numbers, and the real dollar figures — so you can use what you earned.
Whether you are transitioning out, retraining after a service-connected injury, starting a business, or returning to the workforce after years away, there is a program here built for exactly that.
Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) — Chapter 31
VR&E is one of the most valuable — and most underused — benefits the VA offers. If you have a service-connected disability rated at 10% or more and a barrier to employment, VR&E can pay for college, trade school, certification programs, on-the-job training, or the startup costs of your own business. It covers tuition, fees, books, supplies, tools, and a monthly subsistence allowance while you train — all on top of whatever disability compensation you already receive.
Unlike the GI Bill, VR&E has no 36-month cap on entitlement — programs typically run up to 48 months and can be extended. And because VR&E is a rehabilitation program rather than a pure education benefit, you get an assigned counselor who builds a personalized plan around your specific disabilities and career goals.
How to apply: Submit VA Form 28-1900 (Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation) online at VA.gov, by mail, or in person at your regional VA office. You can also call 800-827-1000 and ask to be connected to the VR&E office. The VA will schedule an orientation and assign you a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) who will evaluate your situation and build an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP).
The Five VR&E Tracks
VR&E is not one-size-fits-all. Your counselor assigns one of five tracks based on your disability, your goals, and where you stand today. Understanding the tracks before your first appointment puts you in a stronger position to advocate for the plan that actually fits your life.
Reemployment Track
Return to a job you held before your service-connected disability made it difficult. VR&E works with you and the employer to accommodate your condition — assistive technology, modified duties, workplace adjustments. If the job genuinely cannot accommodate you, the counselor pivots to another track.
Rapid Access to Employment
If you already have the skills and just need job-search help — résumé writing, interview coaching, job-readiness workshops, and direct employer connections — this track gets you into the workforce quickly without retraining.
Self-Employment Track
Start or expand your own business. VR&E can fund a business plan, purchase initial equipment and supplies, and provide small-business training. This track works well for veterans whose disabilities make a traditional 9-to-5 difficult but who can run a business on their own schedule.
Employment Through Long-Term Services
Full retraining — college degrees, trade certifications, apprenticeships, or on-the-job training programs. VR&E pays tuition, fees, books, supplies, and a monthly subsistence allowance while you train. Most programs run two to four years.
Independent Living Track
For veterans whose disabilities are so severe that immediate employment is not feasible. This track provides services — assistive technology, home modifications, therapeutic programs — that help you live as independently as possible, with the goal of eventually moving toward employment if your condition improves.
Note: 5 tracks in a 2-column grid means Track 5 sits alone in the last row. That is intentional — the Independent Living track is a separate category from the four employment tracks, and presenting it with visual separation makes that distinction clear. VR&E eligibility: service-connected disability of 10%+ with an employment barrier, or 20%+ with a serious employment barrier. The 12-year basic eligibility window can be extended. Apply via VA Form 28-1900 or call 800-827-1000.
Federal Hiring Preference
The federal government is the largest employer in the United States, and it is required by law to give veterans a meaningful advantage in the hiring process. Veterans\' preference, special hiring authorities, and non-competitive appointment paths exist precisely because Congress recognized that military service creates a break in civilian career progression — and that veterans bring skills the government needs. Women veterans are significantly underrepresented in federal hiring through these pathways, largely because too few know the authorities exist or how to use them.
Every federal job posting on USAJOBS.gov includes a "How to Apply" section that lists which hiring authorities the position accepts. Look for "Veterans\' Preference Eligible," "VRA," "30% or More Disabled Veteran," or "Schedule A" — these are your doors in. When applying, upload your DD-214 (Member 4 copy), your VA disability rating letter (if applicable), and your SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veterans\' Preference) to every application.
Four Hiring Authorities That Put You Ahead
Veterans' Preference (5 or 10 Points)
Under 5 U.S.C. §2108, eligible veterans receive 5 points (TP preference) added to their passing score on civil service examinations. Veterans with a service-connected disability of 10% or more, Purple Heart recipients, and certain other categories receive 10 points (CPS or CP preference). These points can move you ahead of equally qualified non-veteran candidates. The preference applies to competitive service positions across all federal agencies.
Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA)
Under 5 CFR Part 307, agencies can appoint eligible veterans directly to positions at GS-11 and below without competing against non-veterans. After two years of satisfactory performance, you convert to career status. Eligibility: disabled veterans, Armed Forces Service Medal recipients, recently separated veterans (within 3 years), or veterans who served during a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized.
30% or More Disabled Veteran Authority
Under 5 CFR §315.707, veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 30% or more can be appointed directly to any position for which they qualify, at any grade level, without competition. After two years, the appointment converts to career status. This is one of the most powerful hiring authorities available and is frequently underused by women veterans.
Schedule A Disability Hiring
If you have a severe physical, psychiatric, or intellectual disability, Schedule A (5 CFR §213.3102(u)) allows agencies to hire you non-competitively. You need a certification letter from a licensed medical professional, the VA, or a state vocational rehabilitation agency. After two years, conversion to competitive service is available.
Who to Contact
VA for Vets: 855-824-8387 — a VA program that helps veterans find federal employment, translate military skills to civilian job qualifications, and navigate USAJOBS. Feds Hire Vets: Visit fedshirevets.gov for step-by-step guides to the federal application process, eligibility tools, and agency-specific veteran hiring contacts. OPM Vet Guide: The Office of Personnel Management publishes the full legal framework at opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide-for-hr-professionals/ — cite the specific authority when an HR office does not recognize your eligibility.
Small Business & Entrepreneurship
Running your own business is not a fallback — for many women veterans, especially those whose service-connected disabilities make a traditional schedule difficult, it is the best path. The federal government sets aside a portion of its contracting dollars specifically for veteran-owned and women-owned small businesses, and the combination of both certifications gives you access to contracting pools that most competitors cannot enter.
Beyond contracting, the SBA and its partners offer free training, mentoring, and reduced-fee loans specifically for veterans. And if you qualify for VR&E, the Self-Employment Track (Track 3) can fund your business plan, initial equipment and supplies, and provide the business training you need to get started — at no cost to you.
Programs and Certifications
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
The federal government has a goal of awarding at least 3% of all federal contracting dollars to SDVOSBs. Certification through SBA or VA (for VA-specific contracts through the Veterans First program) opens the door to sole-source contracts up to $4 million for goods and services, and $7 million for manufacturing. Women veterans with any service-connected disability rating qualify.
Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting
The SBA certifies Women-Owned Small Businesses for set-aside and sole-source federal contracts in industries where women are underrepresented. Sole-source thresholds are $4 million for goods and services and $7 million for manufacturing. A woman veteran can hold BOTH SDVOSB and WOSB certifications and compete in both set-aside pools, effectively doubling available contract opportunities.
SBA Veterans Advantage Loan
The SBA offers fee relief on SBA-guaranteed loans (7(a) and 504 programs) for veteran-owned businesses. The SBA can waive or reduce the upfront guarantee fee, saving thousands on loans up to $5 million. Apply through any SBA-preferred lender; veteran ownership must be verified. Additional SBA resources include SCORE mentoring (free), Small Business Development Centers (free consulting), and Women's Business Centers nationwide.
SBA Answer Desk: 800-827-5722
Boots to Business (B2B)
A free SBA entrepreneurship training program available to all transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses. The two-day "Introduction to Entrepreneurship" course covers opportunity recognition, business-concept analysis, feasibility, and the basics of a business plan. A follow-on eight-week online course goes deeper. Available at military installations worldwide and online.
Key Contacts for Veteran Entrepreneurs
SBA Answer Desk: 800-827-5722 · SBA Office of Veterans Business Development: 202-205-6773 · SCORE (free mentoring): 800-634-0245 or score.org · Center for Women Veterans: 202-461-6193
Transition Assistance
The transition from military to civilian employment is one of the hardest adjustments a veteran makes — and women veterans face compounding barriers that men generally do not: caregiving responsibilities that the military deferred, health conditions that were under-documented, and a civilian workforce that still does not always recognize women as combat veterans. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and related services exist to bridge that gap, but their value depends entirely on starting early and knowing what to ask for.
The biggest mistake is waiting until 90 days before separation. The career-track workshops, VA benefits briefings, and credential-translation services are available up to 24 months out — and the earlier you start, the more time you have to build the civilian credentials and connections that turn a separation date into a start date.
Six Steps to a Strong Transition
Attend TAP / DTAP Early
The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is mandatory for separating service members, but start attending workshops 12 to 24 months before your separation date, not 90 days out. The Department of Labor Employment Workshop, VA Benefits Briefings, and the optional career-track modules (Accessing Higher Education, Career & Credential Exploration, Entrepreneurship) are all free and available before you sign out.
Build Your Transition File
Before you separate, collect certified copies of your DD-214, service treatment records, personnel records, performance evaluations, training certificates, and any awards or commendations. These documents are essential for VA claims, federal hiring preference, and state veteran benefits. Order extra certified copies — you will need them more than once.
File an Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966)
File an Intent to File before you separate or within one year of separation to lock in the earliest possible effective date for your disability claim. This protects your back pay while you take the time to gather medical evidence and file a complete claim. The Intent to File is free, takes minutes, and can be done online, by phone (800-827-1000), or in person at a VA regional office.
Translate Your Military Experience
Civilian employers do not understand military job titles or MOS codes. Use the Military Skills Translator tools (available through the Department of Labor and O*NET) to convert your military occupational specialty, training, and experience into civilian job titles, skills, and qualifications that hiring managers recognize.
Connect with VA Employment Services
Register with your state's American Job Center (find yours at CareerOneStop.org or call 877-872-5627). Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists and Local Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVER) at these centers provide personalized job-search assistance, training referrals, and employer connections — all free.
Apply for VR&E If You Qualify
If you have a service-connected disability rated at 10% or more and an employment barrier, apply for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31) through VA.gov or by calling 800-827-1000. VR&E can cover tuition, certification costs, tools, supplies, and a monthly subsistence allowance while you retrain or start a business.
Résumé & Interview Preparation
Your military experience is worth far more than most civilian résumés — but only if a hiring manager can read it. The single biggest reason qualified women veterans lose out on jobs they should get is that their résumé reads like a military service record instead of a business case for hiring them. Translating your experience is not dumbing it down; it is reframing outcomes in the language the audience uses.
Federal résumés and private-sector résumés are entirely different documents. Submitting a one-page private-sector résumé to USAJOBS will get auto-filtered out before a human ever sees it. Below are the rules that matter for both worlds.
Five Rules for a Veteran Résumé That Gets Read
Lead With Civilian Outcomes, Not Military Jargon
Replace "supervised a squad of 12 personnel in a combat environment" with "managed a 12-person team under high-pressure conditions, achieving zero safety incidents across 18 months." Quantify results — budgets managed, people led, equipment maintained, missions completed, cost savings delivered. Civilian recruiters skim for numbers and outcomes, not ranks and acronyms.
Use the Federal Résumé Format for Government Jobs
Federal applications require a much longer résumé than private-sector ones — typically 3 to 5 pages. Include every detail: job title, series and grade (if prior federal), exact dates (month/year to month/year), hours per week, supervisor name and phone, salary, and detailed descriptions of duties and accomplishments. A private-sector one-page résumé will get auto-screened out of USAJOBS.
Address Employment Gaps Directly
If you have a gap between separation and your first civilian job, address it honestly: caregiving, education, medical treatment, or volunteer work all count. A brief line in your cover letter or résumé ("2022–2023: Full-time caregiver and VA health-care enrollment") removes the question before a recruiter asks it.
Leverage Military Certifications and Clearances
Security clearances (Secret, Top Secret, TS/SCI) are expensive and time-consuming for employers to obtain — yours is a competitive advantage. Military licenses and certifications (CDL, EMT, IT certifications, project management) may transfer to civilian credentials; check your state's licensing board for reciprocity agreements.
Use Every Free Help Available
VA's Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (Chapter 36) provides free career counseling and résumé review to any veteran within one year of discharge and to currently enrolled Chapter 31/33/35 beneficiaries. Hire Heroes USA (hireheroesusa.org, free), American Corporate Partners (acp-usa.org, free mentoring), and your local American Job Center DVOP specialist all provide no-cost résumé, interview, and job-search support.
Free Résumé & Career Help
VA Chapter 36 (PCPG): Free career counseling and résumé review — call 800-827-1000 and ask for Personalized Career Planning and Guidance. Hire Heroes USA: hireheroesusa.org — free résumé writing, interview prep, and job matching for all veterans and military spouses. American Corporate Partners: acp-usa.org — free year-long mentorship pairing veterans with corporate professionals. DVOP/LVER: Disabled Veterans\' Outreach specialists at your local American Job Center — find yours at 877-872-5627 (CareerOneStop).
State Employment Programs
Every state offers some form of employment preference or hiring advantage for veterans beyond what the federal government provides. The specifics vary by state, but the categories are consistent enough that you should check for all of them wherever you live:
State Civil Service Preference
Most states add preference points to state civil service examination scores, similar to federal preference. Many states also offer direct appointment or non-competitive hiring for disabled veterans. Check your state's Department of Human Resources or Personnel website for the specific point values and eligibility rules.
Occupational License Reciprocity
Nearly all 50 states have enacted some form of military occupational license reciprocity — expedited or automatic licensing for military-trained professionals in fields like nursing, commercial driving, emergency medical services, law enforcement, and skilled trades. Contact your state licensing board with your military training records to determine which civilian credentials you can receive without repeating coursework.
State Tax Credits for Veteran Employers
Many states offer tax credits to employers who hire veterans, particularly disabled veterans. While these credits benefit the employer, they also make you a more attractive candidate. Know whether your state offers these credits (the Work Opportunity Tax Credit at the federal level, and state-specific programs) and mention the employer benefit in your application or interview.
State Veterans Service Officers
Every state has a Department of Veterans Affairs or equivalent with accredited Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) who can connect you with state employment programs, apprenticeships, and local resources. Call your state DVA directly or find your local VSO through the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA).
The Benefits Women Veterans Leave Unclaimed
VR&E alone can be worth $50,000 to $100,000+ in tuition, fees, books, supplies, and subsistence allowance over a four-year degree program — all on top of disability compensation. Federal contracting set-asides for SDVOSB and WOSB businesses represent billions of dollars in annual contract awards that most women veterans never compete for because they do not know the certifications exist. And veterans\' preference on federal job applications — especially the 30% Disabled Veteran direct-hire authority — is a door that non-veterans simply cannot walk through.
The common thread is the same one that runs through every page on this site: the benefit exists, the law says you qualify, and nobody told you. A free, no-obligation review from a VA-accredited claims agent can look at your entire picture — disability rating, employment barriers, business goals — and tell you exactly which programs apply to your situation.
Career & Employment FAQ
Can I use VR&E (Chapter 31) and the GI Bill at the same time?
Not simultaneously for the same training program, but you can use them sequentially. If you are eligible for both, VR&E often provides more total support — it covers tuition, books, supplies, and a monthly subsistence allowance, and there is no cap on months of entitlement the way there is with the Post-9/11 GI Bill (36 months). A VR&E counselor will help you determine which benefit is better for your specific training plan. You do not lose your GI Bill entitlement by choosing VR&E first.
What is the VR&E subsistence allowance, and how much is it?
VR&E pays a monthly subsistence allowance while you are in training, similar to the GI Bill's housing allowance but calculated differently. For full-time training, the 2025 rate for a single veteran is approximately $784 per month; with one dependent it rises to roughly $972 per month. Rates vary by training type (institutional, on-the-job, non-paid work experience) and number of dependents. The allowance is paid on top of any disability compensation you already receive.
Do I get veterans' preference if I have an other-than-honorable discharge?
Federal veterans' preference under 5 U.S.C. §2108 generally requires an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge. However, if you are eligible for VA compensation — which can happen even with an OTH discharge if the VA makes a favorable character-of-discharge determination — you may still qualify for preference. Additionally, a discharge upgrade through the Discharge Review Board or Board for Correction of Military Records can restore full preference eligibility. See our discharge-upgrade guide for the process.
Can I be both SDVOSB-certified and WOSB-certified?
Yes. If you are a woman veteran with any percentage of service-connected disability who owns at least 51% of a small business and controls its management and daily operations, you can hold both the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certifications. This lets you compete for set-aside contracts in both pools — a significant competitive advantage in federal contracting.
What if I cannot work at all because of my disabilities?
If your service-connected conditions prevent you from holding substantially gainful employment, you may qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) under 38 CFR §4.16, which pays at the 100% rate without a 100% combined rating. Separately, if employment is not currently feasible, VR&E's Independent Living track (Track 5) can provide assistive technology, home modifications, and services to increase your independence, with the possibility of moving toward employment later as your condition allows.
How long does VR&E last, and is there a time limit?
The basic period of eligibility for VR&E is 12 years from the date the VA notifies you of your service-connected disability rating. However, if you have a serious employment barrier, this time limit can be extended. The program itself typically lasts up to 48 months of full-time training, though extensions are available for certain degree programs or when circumstances require additional time.
Are there career programs specifically for women veterans?
Yes. The Department of Labor's Women Veterans Program promotes employment opportunities specifically for women who have served. Every VA medical center has a Women Veterans Program Manager who can connect you with local employment resources. The SBA's Women's Business Centers provide free counseling, training, and mentoring for women entrepreneurs. And the VA's Center for Women Veterans (202-461-6193) advocates for equitable access to all VA employment and training programs.
Does my military security clearance transfer to civilian jobs?
Yes — your active security clearance transfers to civilian employment. An active Secret clearance or higher is a major hiring advantage in defense, intelligence, and government contracting sectors because obtaining one costs an employer $3,000 to $15,000+ and takes months. Your clearance remains active for up to 24 months after separation (shorter for TS/SCI). If you are separating with a clearance, prioritize applying to cleared positions before it expires. ClearanceJobs.com and USAJOBS both allow filtering by clearance level.
Keep Going: Three Related Guides
Disability Claims
Connect service-connected conditions to the compensation that funds your transition.
Open guideEducation & Family Benefits
Use GI Bill, DEA, and VR&E education tracks to retrain or upskill.
Open guideHousing Assistance
Compare VA home loan, HUD-VASH, and adapted housing while you build income.
Open guide