Scoping review of mentorship programs for women in the military

Abstract

LAY SUMMARYMentorship is used in a variety of professions, including in the military to support careers and personal development. Mentorship is known to have benefits for mentors, mentees, and organizations, and it is being used more often to support minority populations, such as women in certain male-dominated professions. However, little is known about how gender and cultures within the military affect mentoring and mentorship programs. A review of the literature was completed to answer the question “How does the literature conceptualize and describe mentorship and mentoring programs in military, military adjacent, and policing organizations for women?” A total of 23 articles were included, the majority of which were from the United States. These articles discussed defining mentorship, how mentorship is used, the role of identity, and the impact of culture on mentorship. This review highlights gaps in the current body of research, calling on the need for further exploration.