Date of Conferral

11-7-2025

Date of Award

November 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Jennifer Morrison

Abstract

Despite increasing attention to public service motivation (PSM) in organizational research, there is a notable absence of studies examining the experiences of women in military contexts, particularly within the United States Coast Guard (USCG). This generic qualitative study, grounded in PSM theory, explored why junior-level women in the USCG prematurely exited military service. While existing research on PSM and women is limited and none specifically focused on women in the USCG, this study addressed that gap by interviewing 16 junior-level women who had separated from the USCG between four and eight years prior. The purpose of the study was to understand the experiences, perceived barriers, and facilitators of military service among these women. The research questions examined their lived experiences, recurring characteristics of career truncation, and commonalities in their reasons for separation. Findings revealed that while PSM remained intact for most participants, their decisions to leave were influenced by factors such as betrayal trauma, ethical burden, and invisible service. Notably, 14 of the 16 participants did not experience a change in public service motivation, as the majority pursued PSM-related careers post-service. Additional recurring themes included toxic leadership, lack of support, and inadequate or incompetent leadership. This in-depth qualitative inquiry offers an alternative understanding of career truncation among junior-level women in the USCG. The study’s implications for positive social change include informing retention strategies and providing insights for scholars, military leaders, and public institutions regarding PSM-related phenomena in service environments.

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