Psychology degrees don't just bring job opportunities for civilians! Navy or Army psychologists work within the military in many different capacities, including training, research, practice, and consultation.
How to Become a Military or Army Psychologist
This type of psychologist often begins training in a military medical center. This training can be preceded by civilian or active duty military officer internships. Graduates of this psychology program must meet service-specific physical health standards, as well as age and citizenship requirements.
All military officers — whether Army or Navy psychologists — must meet standards of personal conduct, judgment, and reliability. They must be able to acquire a secret-level security clearance. Military psychology jobs in Special Operations or Military Intelligence may require higher standards, depending on the type of work the psychologist does -- and the type of career he or she is building.
What Does a Military or Army Psychologist Do?
Military psychologists can be involved in either research or clinical psychology jobs.
In the Army or Navy, work as a research psychologist isn't as common as working as a clinical psychologist. A military research psychologist studies training and personnel selection, human factors and safety, modeling and simulation, and knowledge acquisition. They also research basic human behavior and medicine.
A clinical military psychologist may work in psychotherapy, psychological testing and assessment, forensic evaluations, program development, consultation, and teaching. Navy psychologists tend to work with Navy personnel, while Army and Air Force psychologists tend to work within that branch of military service.
Military psychologists - both Army and Navy - conduct evaluations of the officers' fitness for duty. They also work with the civilian community, to improve the community's programs for managing stress for both military personnel and civilians.
The Diverse Job Profile of Military Psychologists
Military psychology focuses less on traditional mental health services (psychological help for existing mental and emotional health problems). Rather, military psychologists focus more on prevention, early intervention, and integration of behavioral health with physical health.
Army or Navy psychologists have job opportunities not available to civilian clinical psychologists. For instance, military psychologist can work aboard an aircraft carrier, hospital ship, and in special operation units such as the Navy SEALS, the Marine Corp, the Army Stryker Brigade Combat Team, or the Joint Special Forces Task Force.
Other military psychologists work as training directors, supervisors, and instructors in various programs. They may work with issues such as deployment separation (helping officers cope with the stress of leaving family to serve overseas) or exposure to casualities (because seeing the consequences of battle can lead to post traumatic stress disorder).
Aviation psychology is another branch of a military psychologist's possible career path. These psychologists work in the Air Force, and focus on improving pilot performance and reducing flight crew error.
One of the first steps to a career in military psychology is to learn more about getting a psychology degree.
Related Articles - Psychology Degrees and Careers
To learn more about psychology careers, read Jobs for Psychologists and Psychology Graduates.
How to Get an Online Bachelor's Degree in Psychology may also be helpful. But remember: if you're pursuing a psychology job in the military, you need to make sure your studies point you in the right direction!
Source:
- Sternberg, Robert J. Career Paths in Psychology: Where Your Degree Can Take You. (American Psychological Association, 2007).
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen - Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger in Vancouver, BC, and the creator of the Quips and Tips blog series.
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