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Social Work in the U.S. Army (Adobe PDF)

Military and civilian Social Workers (SWs) serve their country and the Army in multiple settings spanning the spectrum of clinical, administrative, and research SW skills. Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW/equivalent) serve as officers, both in the Active Component (AC) (i.e., full-time) and in the Reserve Components (i.e., part-time while holding other civilian employment). The Army’s civilian and contract LCSWs are valued members of our Behavioral Health (BH) team.

Select Clinical Practice Areas

• Combat Operational Stress Control Detachments and Brigade Combat Teams: Working on the battlefield and on installations to address stress related issues and brief counseling needs.
• Army Family Advocacy Program (FAP): Providing domestic abuse assessments and treatment to Solders and their Families.
• Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP): Assessing and treating substance abuse of Soldiers (advanced substance abuse credentials are required).
• Medical Social Work in Military Hospitals: Addressing adjustment to illness issues and coordinating discharge planning needs.
• Warrior Transition Units (WTU): Working with Wounded, Ill and Injured Soldiers, known as Warriors in Transition (WT), and their Families, to address the WTs level of risk, behavioral healthcare needs, adjustment to illness, and reintegration to Army or civilian life.
• BH Care: Performing BH treatment both in clinics and in-patient settings for Soldiers and Family members.
• Exceptional Family Member Program Clinics (EFMP): Working with special needs children and their Families.
• Patient Centered Medical Home and Community Based Medical Home: providing short-term therapy for Soldiers and Family Members.

Clinical Training

SWs are involved in evolving training programs and instruction of Army staff in BH-related educational programs through the Army Medical Department Center and School (AMEDDC&S).

Select Administrative/Research/Command Practice Areas

SWs are establishing Army-wide BH policies and addressing the administration of BH practices at the U.S. Army Medical Command. SWs also establish policies and manage programs addressing Family and Soldier support needs at the Army’s Installation Management Command.

Research Opportunities exist at the U.S. Army Public Health Command, the Uniformed University of the Health Sciences and at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.

Leadership

SWs are selected to command units ranging from detachment, company and battalion level MTOE assignments to health clinics.

Training/Continuing Education

Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program: the AMEDDC&S and Fayetteville State University established a partnership in 2008 to offer an accelerated Masters of SW degree. Army officers, enlisted Soldiers and Army civilians may apply for admission to this very competitive program; details are available at www.uncfsu.edu/sw/fortsam/fortsam.htm .

• Ph.D. / Doctorate of SW Opportunities: An advanced Clinical Practice Fellowship in Child & Family Practice at Walter Reed Army Medical Center is offered competitively to Active Component (AC) SWs.
• Long Term Health Education Training (LTHET): AC SWs may be selected competitively to attend any public university of their choice offering a Ph.D. in SW in a duty (paid) status.
• Continuing Education (CE) Courses and Conferences: Active and Reserve component SWs and Army civilian SW employees are eligible to participate in numerous military and civilian CE offerings in a duty (paid) status including course fees.
• Webinars: Numerous CE courses are available via the web, many in conjunction with the Veterans Health Administration and Navy and Air Force colleagues.
• Incentives: Civilian social workers recruited for positions in remote locations are eligible for recruiting incentive bonuses and relocation bonuses. Active Component Social Workers can also qualify for professional pay after obtaining the BCD certification.

Employment Opportunities

Skilled LCSW/independently licensed social work professionals are encouraged to explore employment opportunities. Limited opportunities for Licensed Master Social Workers may be available at select locations.

Resources

• Active Army / Army Reserves
• Army National Guard
• Civilian Social Work
• National Association of Social Workers
• American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work
• Association of Social Work Boards
• VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Social Work Professional Training Consortium-VA & DoD