<p> Recent changes in written Army leader doctrine have reaffirmed the informal practice of mentorship as a component of subordinate leader development. At the same time, the use of Professional Forums in the Army has the potential to alter commonly accepted norms, policies, and practices of mentoring. This dissertation conducted a phenomenological study of how lived experience in the Forums complemented or detracted from the practice of Army mentoring. The study found that the lived experience closely corresponded to Kram&rsquo;s mentoring functions, with additional documented experiences in the areas of peer and computer-mediated communications mentoring. The participants&rsquo; practices of mentoring within the chain of command and cross-gender mentoring were significantly impacted by unique aspects of Army culture. The researcher found that the Professional Forums were supportive of mentoring practice, but were not mentoring spaces themselves. Participants credited the Forums with helping them identify viable mentoring partners and refining their own mentoring practices. Forum participants believed that their engagement in those spaces gave them a positive outlook on Army mentoring. The study&rsquo;s findings suggest best practices for informal Army mentoring while illuminating new directions for quantitative research in cross-gender and CMC-based mentoring. </p>

<p> <b>Purpose:</b> The purpose of this descriptive, qualitative case study was to identify and describe exemplary military senior leaders&rsquo; perceived importance of emotional intelligence (EI) characteristics when leading organizational change. The study explicitly addressed the behavioral characteristics of U.S. Marine leaders associated with the EI framework for emotional competencies using Goleman, Boyatzis, and McKee&rsquo;s (2002) four EI components: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management competencies. </p><p> <b>Methodology:</b> A qualitative multiple-case study method was appropriate for this research due to its focus on analyzing the 12 exemplary senior leaders&rsquo; perceived importance of EI characteristics to lead change. The qualitative instrument included an in-person or telephonic interview of eight EI questions and the collection of award artifacts. These qualitative tools helped the researcher gain insight on the perceived importance of EI competencies for exemplary senior military leaders who were affiliated with the Installation Personnel Administration Center (IPAC) aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California. The results of the data collection were analyzed using coding software to identify patterns and sort them into components.</p><p> <b>Findings:</b> Participants identified EI components as essential when leading an organizational change episode. Although all components were deemed important, relationship management was determined to be the most valuable EI component when describing competencies while leading change. </p><p> <b>Conclusions:</b> Senior U.S. Marine Corps leaders with high EI are perceived as effective change leaders who can positively lead an organizational change episode. Military senior leaders who foster strong relationship management skills with the competencies of influence, communication, collaboration and teamwork, conflict management, leadership, change catalyst, and building bonds are successful at leading organizational change. </p><p> <b>Recommendations:</b> The researcher recommends that senior leaders tasked with an organizational change episode focus on all four of Goleman et al.&rsquo;s (2002) EI components, but relationship management is the most critical to be an exemplary change episode leader. Military commanders and department leaders looking for positive organizational change should select senior leaders who foster relationships and have strong EI skills to lead the change episode.</p><p>

<p> Military duties are not just required of the men and women in uniform. Their families serve by their side through countless moves, school transitions, and deployments. These family members serve our country in ways most will never understand. These dependents have unique challenges imposed on them due to the military way of life. Unfortunately, despite their unwavering service to our country, they do not always receive proper care in their educational environments. The purpose of this study is to understand what efforts educators have made to support the exceptional needs of military dependents. The study&rsquo;s findings are taken from observations and interviews within two public middle schools serving military dependents.</p><p>

<p> <b>Purpose.</b> The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of Latino chief master sergeants currently serving in the California Air National Guard as they ascended to the rank of chief master sergeant. The study offers insight for military leaders who are the key decision makers when developing diversity programs and implementing equal opportunity directives. </p><p> <b>Conceptual Framework.</b> The conceptual framework for this study was based on the concept that Latino chief master sergeants are underrepresented in key leadership positions. The experiences of Latino chief master sergeants currently serving in the California Air National Guard provided insight into why this phenomenon is occurring. </p><p> <b>Methodology.</b> Semistructured interviews were conducted with Latino chief master sergeants currently serving in the California Air National Guard. Participants serve at one of the five air wings which comprise the California Air National Guard. </p><p> <b>Findings and Conclusions.</b> Major findings of the study include supporting and promoting education at all ranks, increasing the opportunity for Latinos to serve in key leadership roles, ensuring promotions are based on job performance and merit, and supporting diversity initiatives. This study concluded that Latino chief master sergeants are key leaders in the California Air National Guard and their experiences play a significant role in the development of airmen, specifically Latino airmen. </p><p> <b>Recommendations.</b> California Air National Guard leaders should consider the experiences of Latino chief master sergeants prior to implementing changes to education, key leadership positions, promotion, and diversity initiatives. Equitable access to educational programs and developmental opportunities will ensure that all airmen, to include Latino airmen, are prepared for a successful career in the California Air National Guard.</p><p>

<p> This dissertation informed by qualitative intrinsic case study investigated instructor expert classroom behavior at the Department of Defense Joint Military Intelligence Training Center. Expert classroom behavior has been investigated in K-12 and higher education situations, but never in a Department of Defense adult training and education environment. This study adds to the body of work closing this critical literature gap. Learners in all environments form judgments of educator credibility based on demonstrated expert classroom behavior, which impacts learning. Learners who believe in the credibility of their educator are known to pay increased attention, apply extra effort, and achieve increased levels of learning. This study used a previously developed 75-item classroom expert behavior checklist with participant data analysis revealing three themes; Joint Military Intelligence Training Center instructors exhibit expert classroom behavior, the checklist requires modification for adult training and education environment application, and determined effort is required to ensure instructor awareness of expert behavior and the consequences to themselves, the learning institution, and learners when not demonstrated. It could be argued in no other environment is demonstration of expert classroom behavior more important than at the Joint Military Intelligence Training Center responsible for training Department of Defense Intelligence Analysts who conduct all source analysis and provide information informing national security-level decision-making. </p><p>