Success of the African American Female Military Field Grade Officers in An Army Environment

Success of the African American Female Military Field Grade Officers in an Army Environment by Sandra M. Thompson MS, Central Michigan University, 1995 BS, Morgan State University, 1988 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Organizational Psychology Walden University February 2016 Abstract African American female field grade officers perform many missions in the United States Army and often excel in their careers. Unfortunately, the factors accounting for the success of African American female military officers’ career are understudied, and this gap in knowledge may prevent younger female military officers from advancing their careers. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the success factors of African American female field grade officers. Participants were women who were currently serving on active duty, who retired after serving 20 or more years, or who had resigned their commissions. Success was defined as achieving rank as a field grade officer with high levels of responsibility and receiving no negative reports. Twenty participants underwent a detailed interview that lasted approximately 60 minutes. The analysis of data consisted of applying codes to portions of each participant’s responses. Once applied, new codes were modified or added when new meanings or categories evolved. Throughout this study, the participants reported challenges and barriers that were based mostly on their gender, not their race. The primary challenges reported by these women were being viewed negatively as leaders, feeling as if they had to choose between raising a family or continuing to serve while in the military, feeling unable to be as competitive as her male counterparts for promotions for certain military commands, and struggling to overcome the stereotypes that still exist. This research helps illuminate factors that are related to career success of African American female military officers. This knowledge creates a positive change in the military and in other workplaces where females are increasingly working in leadership positions.African American female field grade officers perform many missions in the United States Army and often excel in their careers. Unfortunately, the factors accounting for the success of African American female military officers’ career are understudied, and this gap in knowledge may prevent younger female military officers from advancing their careers. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the success factors of African American female field grade officers. Participants were women who were currently serving on active duty, who retired after serving 20 or more years, or who had resigned their commissions. Success was defined as achieving rank as a field grade officer with high levels of responsibility and receiving no negative reports. Twenty participants underwent a detailed interview that lasted approximately 60 minutes. The analysis of data consisted of applying codes to portions of each participant’s responses. Once applied, new codes were modified or added when new meanings or categories evolved. Throughout this study, the participants reported challenges and barriers that were based mostly on their gender, not their race. The primary challenges reported by these women were being viewed negatively as leaders, feeling as if they had to choose between raising a family or continuing to serve while in the military, feeling unable to be as competitive as her male counterparts for promotions for certain military commands, and struggling to overcome the stereotypes that still exist. This research helps illuminate factors that are related to career success of African American female military officers. This knowledge creates a positive change in the military and in other workplaces where females are increasingly working in leadership positions. Success of the African American Female Military Field Grade Officers in an Army Environment by Sandra M. Thompson MS, Central Michigan University, 1995 BS, Morgan State University, 1988 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Organizational Psychology Walden University February 2016 Dedication I would like to dedicate this to my husband, Fernando, son, Mason, siblings, Charmian and Rhonda, and parents, Willie and Aldena Clifford for their encouragement and faith in my abilities. Acknowledgments I would like to thank Dr. Kizzy Dominquez and Dr. James Brown for having more faith in me than I did in myself. Your encouragement and expertise made this all possible. I’d like to thank Dr. Edman, my URR, for his assistance and quick response with revisions. I’d like to thank Dr. Cheryl Rushing for her assistance throughout the development of this paper. I would like to personally thank those 20 dynamic female military officers who contributed their time and honest responses to this research project. Most of all I would like to thank God for giving me the intelligence and strength to complete this dissertation.