Air Force Veteran Won Ms. Veteran America 2026
A Utah-based veteran secured the title and $15,000 to advance support for women transitioning out of the military.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Military Jobs
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Kimberly Chatto, a veteran with 11 years of service in the Air Force, was crowned Ms. Veteran America 2026. The competition, now in its 15th year, supports the mission of Final Salute Inc. to assist women veterans.
Why it matters
The event highlights the specialized employment and transition resources required for women veterans, a group Final Salute Inc. identified as underserved when it was founded in 2010. Winning provides both capital and a platform to advocate for housing and career support.
The winner received a $15,000 prize as part of the 15th anniversary of the competition. Final Salute Inc. has operated since 2010 to address service gaps for women veterans and their children.
The players
Kimberly Chatto
An Air Force veteran of 11 years based at Hill Air Force Base who won the 2026 Ms. Veteran America title.
Final Salute Inc.
A non-profit organization founded in 2010 to provide housing and employment transition support for women veterans.
The details
Final Salute Inc. organizes the competition to funnel resources into housing, financial assistance, and employment transition services for women veterans. Participants use the platform to raise awareness for these services, bridging the gap between military service and civilian employment for female personnel. Chatto, currently based at Hill Air Force Base, plans to leverage her title to further these outreach efforts.
Timeline
2010: Final Salute Inc. was founded to support women veterans.
October 11, 2026: Kimberly Chatto was named the winner of the Ms. Veteran America 2026 title.
Market Landscape
This win reinforces the work of Final Salute Inc., which has focused on veteran advocacy since 2010. The event highlights the ongoing necessity of specialized non-profit interventions in the transition of women from military service.
Operators looking to hire veterans should assess whether their internal transition programs account for the specific demographic needs identified by groups like Final Salute Inc. Understanding these support channels can improve retention and recruitment for firms actively seeking veteran talent.
The takeaway
The event underscores the value of structured transition support for veterans moving into the private sector. Business leaders should evaluate how their corporate social responsibility efforts align with established organizations that address specific service-member transition gaps.
Further reading
For more on the challenges and resources regarding Military Jobs, view our latest reports.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ABC 4.
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Are existing support services for women veterans and their children sufficient in the United States?
