New Report Highlights Room for Diversity Improvement within National Security Careers

In a recently released study entitled What It Looks Like vs. What It Is: Building Competent Diversity in National Security, Guidehouse and #NatSecGirlSquad describe the potential for diversity in national security and delve into why women are often underrepresented in national security roles.

The study gathers preliminary information from a large sample of employees and prospective employees in the national security field to better understand the key barriers facing underrepresented groups in entering, working, promoting, and leading in the field. 841 members of the #NatSecGirlSquad community, with the average respondent holding a master’s degree and several years of experience, participated in the survey.

The survey divided questions into three primary categories: applying for jobs in national security, working in national security, and leadership and promotion in national security careers.

In the first category, one of the questions asked respondents to “indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with this statement: It is especially difficult for people from underrepresented groups to get through the application process.” 60% (318) of the respondents to this question strongly agreed or agreed with the statement. When filtered by gender, women strongly agreed or agreed (65% or 262) with this statement at a higher rate than men (46% or 53).

There was also an open text question regarding opportunities needed to assist women and underrepresented groups in applying to national security jobs to which one respondent said, “I would like to see mentorship for women and underrepresented groups to help connect them, and teach them the norms and standards for the industry. Information and expectations about salary, required skills and experience, and opportunities to showcase these would be very helpful.”

In the next category, working in national security, one of the questions asked respondents to “indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with this statement: National security careers offer a welcoming environment for women.” Approximately half of the respondents to this question, or 56% (300), indicated they strongly disagreed or disagreed with the statement that national security careers offer a welcoming environment for women. When filtered by gender, more women (60% or 247) than men (42% or 48) strongly disagreed or disagreed with the statement.

There was also an open text question regarding opportunities needed to assist women and underrepresented working in the national security field, to which one respondent said, “I think people are typically more comfortable seeking out and mentoring people who look like them. I have met very few leaders who are willing to spend time with those that are different that they are in order to find the commonalities they would be willing to invest in. The path of least resistance may be the easy route, but rarely it is the path of greatest impact. If leaders would buy into the notion that they have the power to break down many barriers in our career field, then we could drastically change the narrative.”

In the final category, leadership and promotion in national security careers, one of the questions asked respondents to “indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with this statement: I think it is more challenging for women to earn promotions in this field.” More than two-thirds of the respondents to this question, or 68% (360) indicated they strongly agreed or agreed with the statement that it is more challenging for women to earn promotions in this field. When filtered by gender, 73% (296) of women strongly agreed or agreed, while only 53% (61) of men strongly agreed or agreed.

Survey respondents reported significant barriers to entry into the national security field, namely the computerized HR screening process, getting a sponsor for and information on the security clearance process, and identifying opportunities with sufficient salary and benefits.

 “Moving the needle on diversity will require continued conversation and collaboration, as well as additional research and programming within the government, and across the rest of the national security apparatus,” the report concludes.