The Lived Experience of Black Females at the United States Naval Academy: Navigating Waters Less Traveled

This study addresses a critical gap in the literature by centering the lived experiences of Black female midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA)—a group that remains underrepresented, particularly in the Navy’s senior officer ranks. Strengthening this pipeline requires an understanding of the motivations that bring Black women to USNA and the challenges they face once enrolled. This study aims to understand how Black women come to choose the Academy, explore their lived experiences while attending the Academy, and provide recommendations for improving the recruitment and retention of Black female midshipmen. Guided by Black Feminist Thought, this study employed an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach to examine the factors that influenced participants' decisions to attend the USNA and how they made sense of their experiences. Key findings reveal that the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps served as an important recruiting source, and comprehensive financial support played a key role in their decision to attend the Academy; however, high school guidance counselors did not influence their decisions. All participants faced individual and systemic racism and sexism at the USNA, and feelings of social isolation harmed their sense of well-being and negatively impacted their academic performance. Additionally, participating in black-centric organizations provided a sense of community, and the leaders and shipmates involved in those organizations were critical to their persistence and success. Recommendations include elevating belonging as a core leadership competency, institutionalizing the Navy’s practice of “coming alongside” to support struggling midshipmen, and recognizing affinity groups as leadership incubators and cultural sanctuaries.

Grantor dc:publisher

Digital Commons @ University of South Florida

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Helms, Kathryn M. K.

• Naval Academy
• USNA
• Phenomenology
• IPA
• Black Feminist Thought
• Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching

Statement dc:rights

• default

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/10869

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.usf.edu:etd-12172