Graduation Year
2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Ed.D.
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Degree Granting Department
Educational and Psychological Studies
Major Professor
Deirdre Cobb-Roberts, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Lauren Braunstein, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Charles Vanover, Ph.D.
Committee Member
COL (R) Lawrence W. Henry, Ph.D.
Keywords
Diversity, Mentorship, Promotions, Representative Principle, Sponsorship
Abstract
While the broader Department of Defense (DoD) has implemented important initiatives to advance equitable representation, the United States Army Special Forces (SF) has historically had a different distribution of diversity among General Officers (O7 to O10). This study explored the perceptions underlying this disparity through a qualitative narrative inquiry, using semi-structured interviews with selected retired SF officers of O6 and higher ranks. By examining participants' career experiences and perspectives on the Army's promotion system, this study seeks to illuminate the structural and cultural underpinnings that affect minority promotions to General and senior leadership positions in the Special Forces. Of course, views regarding minority representation in military leadership have been quite limited; the United States Special Operations Command has not had an African American Commander in its history. The SF General Officer ranks have never fully met the Representation Principle, which holds that military leadership should reflect the nation's demographic composition. This research examined retired officers' perceptions of barriers to promotions and systemic impediments. The findings can contribute to the literature on military diversity and racial and ethnic representation and provide recommendations to increase minority representation in Special Forces leadership. The intended outcome was to enhance future proposals to build equitable career progression within the Army Special Forces and, consequently, to develop a more inclusive leadership environment.
Scholar Commons Citation
Telfare, Vincent X., "Examining Perceptions of Minority Underrepresentation Among the United States Special Forces General Officers (O7-O10)" (2026). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/11428
