JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. –  JBLM will host a transitions event for female service members to address the unique challenges women face when exiting military service, May 18 – 19 at the Salavation Army Tacoma Citadel Corps in Tacoma, Washington.

After a 2014  Bureau of Labor report showed post 9/11 female service members struggle to find employment after military service, when compared to their male collegues of the same age, the Army began looking closely at the resources it provides to help transitioning female soldiers. According to the report, the unemployment rate for post-9/11 female veterans was 8.5 percent, while the male veteran unemployment rate fell to 6.9 percent that same year.

The Redefining Your Future workshop is the first ever transitions event of its kind, and will have a panel discussion with female industry executives.

“We know there are still challenges in the civilian workplace regarding equal pay and responsibility,” said Robin Baker, Transitions Services Manager for JBLM “As a result, we are having a diversity panel and our females will hear from top female executives regarding challenges and opportunities they may face.”

Last year over 6000 service members transitioned out of JBLM, with approximately 16% being female.

Work Force Central, which assists job seekers and employers in Pierce County, helped organize the event