Date of Award

Spring 6-29-2024

Document Type

Dissertation - University of Massachusetts Global access only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Organizational Leadership

First Advisor

Philip Pendley

Second Advisor

Laurie Goodman

Third Advisor

Tricia Kassab

Abstract

Purpose: The current phenomenological study aimed to determine how African American veterans identify and describe historical impacts, socioeconomic impacts, challenges, and opportunities in transitioning from military to middle management roles in the civilian world.

Methodology: The current study used in-depth semistructured/open-ended interviews to collect data from service members transitioning into management positions in the civilian sector. The interviewer followed a script, and all participants were asked the same questions. The data were collected, coded, and analyzed using the NVivo program to identify themes that emerged from participants’ responses. Rich narratives through qualitative interviews and artifact collection established a vivid picture of the personal choices, strategies, challenges, and triumphs that characterized each veteran’s journey. Furthermore, qualitative data offered a platform for participants to voice their experiences in their own words, thereby bringing authenticity to the research.

Findings: Participants identified five areas that influenced their adjustment into middle management in the civilian arena, and the factors were then rated and ranked. The top five elements were: (a) Historical Legacy Awareness, (b) Racial and Gender Discrimination, (c) Economic Disparities, (d) Cultural Adjustment from Military to Private Citizen, and (e) Military Skills Undervalued. The applicants stated preparation, having a solid support system, education level, and other aspects elevated or minimized the effects of the five listed factors.

Conclusion: African American service members in the current study employed various strategies concurrently to improve their shift from military management to civilian supervisor positions. First, they enhanced resilience by learning healthy coping strategies and educating the civilian workforce. Second, they expanded and used transition services available to the soldier, which included networking with other service members. Third, enhancing socioeconomic mobility for African American veterans and participation in political activism on state and federal levels to address policies that present barriers to employment was important. Lastly, African American soldiers aimed to improve their leadership/management development through certificate training, formal education, and self-improvement.

Recommendations: Based on the current study’s findings, four recommendations were made for further research to advance the understanding of how to improve African American service members’ adjustment into middle management positions in civilian corporations.

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