- Mental health has always be an integral piece of a soldier's overall performance. However, since the Vietnam War, the need for Army counseling professionals has been on the rise, especially with the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Army counseling jobs are available for both officers and enlisted personnel. Psychologists, mental health specialists, social workers and even chaplains are all careers in which soldiers can utilize therapeutic techniques to heal.
- A soldier in any enlisted Army counseling MOS is required to pass the full nine-week Basic Combat Training program before attending Advanced Individual Training (AIT). However, those with advanced degrees and licensure can receive a direct commission to the Army Medical Corps.
- Both enlisted and commissioned Army counselors have numerous service options. Active duty contracts start at two years, and both enlisted personnel and officers can opt to join the Army Reserve or the Army National Guard, viable options for those who still attend school or manage their own private practices.
- Army counselors serve anywhere from stateside military hospitals to bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. Wherever there are soldiers, there are trained Army therapists and social workers.
- Army counselors are trained in most psychological functions. From substance abuse therapy to personality assessment, these qualified personnel are there in whatever capacity a fellow soldier may need.
