Problem solving is an essential ability emphasized throughout the United States Air Force and other military services. Due to the nature of armed forces missions, military officers are often placed in situations in which they must solve ill-defined problems, sometimes in situations involving national security. Problem-Based Learning is an instructional methodology that situates students at the center of the learning process. While in charge of their own learning, students collaboratively investigate and solve authentic problems, constructing their own knowledge. Although problem-solving ability is one of the important outcomes promoted in Problem-Based Learning, do we know that students actually acquire and improve upon this lifelong ability as a result of this process? Given the importance of problem-solving abilities in our world and, in particular, our military services, this dissertation examines the role and effectiveness of Problem-Based Learning in the development of problem-solving abilities through a case study conducted in a Geopolitics course at the United States Air Force Academy.