Why Promotable Female Officers Leave the Army

Abstract : This paper presents the findings of a study designed to identify the reasons female Captains who were eligible for promotion to Major decided to take a monetary incentive and voluntarily leave the Army Two sets of interviews were conducted: 73% the females on the promotion list who decided to leave were interviewed by telephone and another group of Active Army officers was interviewed in person to determine the factors they considered in making their career decisions. The results indicated that (a) career decisions are based on multiple factors, (b) career decisions are based on an assessment of current conditions or. progress and on perceived long-term career conditions and opportunities, (c) there is much overlap in the factors considered by those who decided to leave and those who have not decided to leave at this point, and (d) there is much overlap in factors considered by and females. Both males and females took the following into account in their career decisions: career/ promotion opportunities, equitable treatment, family issues, monetary incentives, and issues related to current and future downsizing and force restructuring. In addition, the female officers gave the following as reasons for leaving: gender discrimination, sexual harassment, joint domicile problem and child care.