Equal Opportunity Climate of Women and Minorities in the Navy: Results From the Navy Equal Opportunity/Sexual Harassment (NEOSH) Survey

Abstract

This article reviews the equal opportunity (EO) climate of women and minorities in the Navy based on the results of the 1993 Navy Equal Opportunity/Sexual Harassment (NEOSH) Survey. A random sample of active-duty Navy officers and enlisted personnel stratified by racial and ethnic group (Whitelother, Black, and Hispanic) and gender was selected, resulting in 12 groups (N = 3,801; response rate = 41%). The data were weighted to reflect the actual distribution of the 12 groups in the Navy population. Results indicated that overall Navy EO climate is positive; however, the perceptions of women and Blacks were generally less positive than those of men and Whites. Specific findings on racial and gender discrimination are discussed. Overall, the results show that those who have experienced racial or gender discrimination are less satisfied with the Navy, have higher intentions of leaving, and lower intentions to remain in the Navy until retirement. Comparisons between 1991 and 1993 findings showed evidence of widening perceptual gaps between Whites and minorities and between men and women, especially among officers. Implications of these results are discussed.