Abstract
Although there have been significant policies in support of advancing women in the military, they still face many challenges in advancing their careers. Nonetheless, women still have the desire and propensity to serve and work toward higher-ranking leadership positions. Prior research has utilized both qualitative and quantitative research and data from veterans and a combination of officers and enlisted personnel. This paper adds to the literature by using a qualitative, phenomenological approach leveraging the lived experience of active-duty female military officers. Appreciative inquiry and best practices frameworks create the theoretical foundation for this research. Chapter 1 introduces the advancement of women in the military, focused specifically on officers. This chapter also discusses both theoretical frameworks and lays the foundation for the research. Chapter 2 reviews literature on strategies for advancement and challenges for women in the military to form the foundation for the data collection outlined in the Chapter 3 methodological review. Chapter 4 includes the data analysis and data displays. Chapter 5 includes the findings of the study, a discussion about the results, and opportunities for future research.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Women soldiers—United States; United States—Armed Forces—Women; Women—Armed Forces—Officers; Women and the military—United States
Date of Award
2024
School Affiliation
Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Department/Program
Education
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctorate
Faculty Advisor
Gabriella Miramontes
Recommended Citation
Axtell, Kayleigh, "Strategies and best practices for career advancement for female officers in the United States military" (2024). Theses and Dissertations. 1501.
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/1501