Addressing Active-Duty Servicemember Apathy and Cynicism for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives in a Military Organization
Date of Award
12-12-2024
Degree Name
Ed.D. in Leadership for Organizations
Department
Department of Educational Administration
Advisor/Chair
Ricardo Garcia
Abstract
For more than a half century, the Department of Defense (DoD) has worked to address the issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), but bias, prejudice, and the negative impacts of these realities have continued (DoD Board on Diversity and Inclusion, 2020). In a policy memorandum, senior DoD executives have committed to affecting an enterprise-wide, organizational, and cultural shift; however, apathy and cynicism among active-duty servicemembers has created a barrier to successfully achieving the mandate. Study findings showed that engaging leadership to overtly display their commitment and support, exposure to intentional and inspiring bias awareness training, and empowering and energizing staff members to embrace the multicultural environment are keys to successfully realizing a DE&I-focused organizational climate.
Keywords
diversity, equity, and inclusion, apathy, cynicism, active-duty service members, cultural humility, utilitarianism
Rights Statement
Copyright © 2024, author.
Recommended Citation
Pringle, Elbert, "Addressing Active-Duty Servicemember Apathy and Cynicism for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives in a Military Organization" (2024). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 7500.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/graduate_theses/7500
