Beyond gender stereotypes: The lack of gender-typed behaviors in Portuguese Army careers

Military institutions worldwide maintain strong organizational cultures characterized by male-oriented values, strict hierarchy, and formal authority, and the Portuguese Army exemplifies these traditional military attributes. But despite increasing gender integration efforts, questions remain about how gender impacts career progression within this structured environment. Therefore, this study investigated gender-based behavioral differences and career dynamics within the Portuguese Army through a qualitative analysis of 40 semi-structured interviews with officers across ranks, ages, and genders. The research revealed persistent gender stereotypes creating career advancement obstacles for female soldiers, particularly around physical evaluations and maternity leave policies. While the study found no evidence of gender-specific behavioral patterns among officers (concerning agentic and communal behaviors), it identified clear institutional barriers. These findings underscore the need for targeted reforms, including enhanced gender awareness training, transparent communication about diverse evaluation criteria, and revised maternity leave review procedures. This research contributes to understanding gender integration challenges in military contexts while providing actionable recommendations for creating more equitable career progression pathways.