EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY CLIMATE OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN THE NAVY - RESULTS FROM THE NAVY EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY SEXUAL HARASSMENT (NEOSH) SURVEY

This article reviews the equal opportunity (EO) climate of women and m inorities in the Navy based on the results of the 1993 Navy Equal Oppo rtunity/Sexual Harassment (NEOSH) Survey. A random sample of active-du ty Navy officers and enlisted personnel stratified by racial and ethni c group (White/Other, Black, and Hispanic) and gender was selected, re sulting in 12 groups (N = 3,801; response rate = 41%). The data were w eighted to reflect the actual distribution of the 12 groups in the Nav y population. Results indicated that overall Navy EO climate is positi ve; however, the perceptions of women and Blacks were generally less p ositive than those of men and Whites. Specific findings on racial and gender discrimination are discussed. Overall, the results show that th ose who have experienced racial or gender discrimination are less sati sfied with the Navy, have higher intentions of leaving, and lower inte ntions to remain in the Navy until retirement. Comparisons between 199 1 and 1993 findings showed evidence of widening perceptual gaps betwee n Whites and minorities and between men and women, especially among of ficers. Implications of these results are discussed.