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IRON MOUNTAIN -- As women continue to play a prominent role in the military, they are beginning to rely more and more on the VA when they finish serving.

The VA estimates women will make up 10 percent of all veterans by 2020.

"People don't realize how many females are over there serving," said Air Force veteran Cathrine Trempe.  "How many females are enrolled in any branch?  The numbers are increasing, and I think we're earning a lot more respect."

Trempe served from 2003-2005, providing medical assistance to returning veterans.  She said the comprehensive care available to female veterans now has improved significantly.

"It's amazing that they're adapting to what we need and what we expect to receive," Trempe said.

The overall number of veterans may be declining, but that's not the case for women veterans which have grown by 26 percent over the last five years.

In many cases, treating female veterans coming home from war is proving to be more challenging than treating male veterans.

"Readjusting for women, coming back from the war, readjusting to civilian life is definitely more difficult," said Women Veterans Program Manager Julie Gendron.  "They're dealing with coming back to family life, coming back to working full-time, doing a different job."

Trempe said it’s important to her that the VA provides comprehensive care like maternity benefits as well as more common care like mental health.

"It felt good that we are treating our veterans, especially our women," Trempe said, "concentrating on their needs, and they're expecting help."

Any veteran seeking care is encouraged to call their local VA.