‘I never thought of myself as a veteran’: written reflections on veteran identity by ex-servicewomen in Wales

This study aligns with previous evidence that ex-servicewomen struggle to identify with the term veteran. Both stereotypical societal perceptions of who a veteran is, often older men with combat experience and longer terms of service, and negative military experiences were factors related to women's non-identification or delayed identification with their veteran identity. This study underscores the importance of peer support opportunities for ex-servicewomen. For some, engaging with other ex-servicewomen and participating in the veteran community was a factor in developing connection to being a veteran, which they previously had not identified with.