Role of mentoring for women in the Canadian Armed Forces

Abstract

Introduction: In Canada, mentoring has been used in the armed forces to support women’s careers and personal development, but little is known about those mentorship experiences. The current study aimed to explore the career and psychosocial reasons why servicewomen use mentorship in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Methods: A qualitative study was conducted that included semi-structured, in-depth interviews with subject matter experts in the area of mentorship in the military and mentors and mentees in the CAF. Results: A total of 28 individuals (21 women and 7 men) from across Canada, excluding the territories, and one international deployment participated in the study. Regular Force, Canadian Defence Academy, Canadian and international Veterans, and a not-for-profit Canadian organization working with women in defence and security were represented. The participants connected with the CAF also represented a range of ranks. Women in the CAF use mentorship for career development and psychosocial support functions. Discussion: Men are more likely than women to seek mentorship to specifically address career development. For women, career development also includes obtaining advice on managing personal responsibilities and career objectives. Psychosocial support from mentorship is most often sought by women to address issues related to gender and military culture, kinship and visibility, and surviving sexual trauma in the workplace. The current study provides a foundation for ongoing research and forms a basis on which future mentorship work can be built.