This phenomenological study explored a gap in knowledge that currently exists pertaining to the experiences of senior enlisted women who have served in the active Army from 2001-2011. The purpose of the study was to investigate their experiences and perceptions regarding their specific profession, the profession of arms, and their personal and professional reasons for committing to a lifelong career in the Army. Current data indicate that women comprise 13.5% of the U.S. Army. In addition, a 2007 survey conducted by the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) indicated that 66% of men planned to stay in the Army until retirement, whereas only 49% of women indicated a goal of making the Army their career. Identifying the difference between career persistence among men and women is important not only to women seeking a potential career in the Army but also to the future of the Army's recruiting practices, demographics, and prospective policies and procedures. This study used a convenience sample and snowball sampling to identify participants. Individual interviews were conducted with a target population of 17 senior enlisted women. The goal of these interviews was to (a) obtain the participants ' insights regarding their decisions to select the Army as a career choice, (b) gain a clearer understanding of supportive or nonsupportive experiences they encountered relevant to their career decisions, (c) delve into their decisions regarding family versus career, and (d) attain their opinions concerning promotional opportunities for senior enlisted women. Interviews were transcribed and coded into themes that emerged from those data and from the literature review. An overview of the results of this phenomenological study is indicated in Chapter 4. Findings and conclusions of the research are discussed in Chapter 5. Recommendations for future research include; completing this research with women of other services and reexamining Army active duty women's experiences in the next 5 years.
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