Are Non-white or Female Officer Trainees (OTs) Recycled or Dropped from OTS at Higher Rates than White or Male OTs?
Abstract
In a training environment like Air Force Officer Training School (OTS), on Day Zero the trainers first focus in on those individuals who stand out because they either clearly have prior military experience (prior-Es or non-priors), or they look different than the others with whom they are standing. Prior-Es will typically be looked upon favorably and receive less disciplinary action at OTS, as they are already experienced in military training and exhibit well-practiced cultural norms. Since 77.82% of Air Force officers are male, and 77.87% are white, individuals outside of the male-white demographic will look different than most at OTS (Air Force Personnel Center, 2020). This unfortunately may not bode well for female and/or non-white Officer Trainees (OTs), as similar research in the educational field has shown. The Dangers of Implicit Bias at OTS.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 06, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1112343
Entities
People
- Keisha Meyer
Organizations
- Air University