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Many of the arguments supporting diversity in the military focus on the instrumental benefits available to an organisation that embraces difference. Viewed through this lens, there is a risk of diversity becoming another ‘to do,’ and prioritised according to available resources. Arguing for diversity primarily from the perspective of a capability-based argument also fails to challenge the tension between a military’s combat effectiveness, and its adherence to the values and laws of the state it protects. This thesis seeks to reframe the diversity debate by arguing that a diverse military reflective of the demography of society is a fundamental requirement in a Western liberal democracy. The analysis draws on sociological theory to posit that current approaches to diversity in Western air forces overlook the role of identity in constructing behavioural norms and influencing the ability of the organisation to process and integrate difference. In particular, Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of social practice is used to help identify as yet unexplored facets of the military’s social environment to help explain why the air forces of the US, UK and Australia do not reflect the demographic composition of broader society. In doing so, Erving Goffman’s concept of ‘presentation’ is combined with Judith Butler’s theory of “performativity” in an effort to develop a model describing the mechanisms and processes through which military identities are constructed in basic officer training. Using air force officer training establishments in the UK, US and Australia as case studies, this thesis seeks to determine how identities are constructed in early officer training, and how these nascent identities might influence the overall levels of diversity within the organisation. By blending quantitative and qualitative evidence (the latter gathered through fieldwork in the UK, US and Australia), this project seeks evidence to support the hypothesis that these particular Western air forces construct and cultivate exclusive identities that may conflict with government initiatives aimed at building a diverse and inclusive organisation. The analysis also aims to make a number of policy recommendations that might be useful first steps in re-casting the dominant identity of the air force officer corps.

This study explores the construction of a military identity during basic training at the US Air Force Academy. Drawing on qualitative data gathered through the conduct of Focus Groups, the paper seeks to develop an understanding of the way particular characteristics are presented as valuable and constituitive of the 'ideal' Air Force Officer. The research was conduct under the auspices of a US Air Force Higher Degree program, and the protocol received the appropriate Ethical approvals prior to commencement of fieldwork.