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Military Career: Caseworkers and Counselors

 

Overview

Just like some civilians, some military personnel need assistance with various problems or concerns, including career decisions, family issues, substance abuse, or emotional problems. Caseworkers and counselors work with military personnel and their families to help them with their particular concerns. They may specialize by the type of counseling that they do, such as career guidance or alcohol and drug abuse prevention. They normally work as part of a team that may include social workers, psychologists, medical officers, chaplains, personnel specialists, and commanders.

What They Do

Caseworkers and counselors in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Interview personnel who request help or are referred by their commanders
  • Identify problems and determine the need for professional help
  • Counsel personnel and their families
  • Administer and score psychological tests
  • Help personnel evaluate and explore career opportunities
  • Teach classes on human relations
  • Keep records of counseling sessions

Branches of the Military

Army
Navy
Air Force
Marine Corps
Coast Guard

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include health, biology, psychology, sociology, social science, and speech. Helpful attributes include:

  • Interest in working with people
  • Patience in dealing with problems that take time and effort to overcome
  • Sensitivity to the needs of others

Training Provided

Job training consists of 8 to 10 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in counseling. Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses. Course content typically includes:

  • Orientation to counseling and social service programs
  • Interviewing and counseling methods
  • Treatments for drug and alcohol abuse
  • Psychological testing techniques

Physical Demands

Caseworkers and counselors need to speak clearly and distinctly in order to teach classes and work with personnel who have problems.

Work Environment

Caseworkers and counselors usually work in offices or clinics.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian caseworkers and counselors work in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, schools, and public agencies. They are usually required to have a college degree in social work, psychology, or counseling. They may also be called employment counselors, social workers, human services workers, or substance abuse counselors.

Below is a list of similar civilian occupations:

Psychologists
School Counselors
Social Workers

Opportunities

The services have about 1,000 caseworkers and counselors. Each year, they need new caseworkers and counselors due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, they work under close supervision. With experience, they work more independently and may supervise other caseworkers.


Source: U.S. Department of Defense, Washington D.C.