Thank You all...

hey finalapproach,

I am also a social worker going for my commission but I'm going Navy. I did consider the army but I choose the navy. I know if I did go army my rank would have been 1stLT because we have the masters degree. I do have a cousin who is active duty in the army as a social worker and she is stationed in Germany. One thing I have learned about our field is there are not many billets (jobs) in any of the fields. I think the army is expanding more than all of them. From what I understand there are only one to two "navy or army" social workers at each duty station. There are alot of civilians. I could chat on and on welcome. This website has a wealth of great people would good tips and first hand experience. I started off in nursing (1st love) and have my bachelors in nursing that is how I knew about the site. Welcome!!!

Final Approach, how many years have you been working the capacity of a social worker?

v/r

Hi sassysailor,

Thank you. Wow great to see another SW on the site. I have worked alongside several RN/MSWs in Psychiatric Emergency Services. Actually the Navy was my 1st choice but due to my age I went with the Army.

I have done a lot of research on Army Social Work as there is very little info out there. I come to find out they are understrength at 77% with over 60 billets available. There is a 1 yr SW accession internship one must do after OBLC. So I am pretty psyched about the whole process. Right now its just a waiting game.

I am grateful to the site for having me and to all for posting your experiences.

welcome to allnurses...............glad to have you!!!!!!!

Hi Just_cause,

I have approximately 20 yrs of direct practice, primarily psychiatric emergency service, intake/assessment, case mgmt, CISD & corrections.

FinalApproach,

As an AMEDD (future) officer have you referenced AR135-101 CHP3.

This might assist. With a masters in SW you gain time as well.. however I think your constructive time will max out as shown in CHP3.

v/r

just_cause,

I was looking at that. I am hoping they will give me another 2 yrs for my other Master Degree in Counseling under other educational credit. Who knows?

The other issue that I am looking at is one of my professional certifications as (BCD) Board Certified Diplomate SW (its pending) so I may have to introduce that during OBLC as it will not be available during January 09 boards.

Thats great sounds like you have great experience. I think there is a need for sw in the miltary its just a process to go through. That is great that you have a 1 year accession internship. I wish I had a internship. I wonder why the navy dosen't have that for us. I asked the social work officer that I interviewed with about an intern or precert period of time since it is most likely that I may be the only navy sw at my duty station she said there was none for us.

My experience comes from medical social work alot of discharge planning. I worked a little while in mental health while getting my masters degree. I am open minded about learning new parts of social work.

Hi sassysailor,

Thank you. Wow great to see another SW on the site. I have worked alongside several RN/MSWs in Psychiatric Emergency Services. Actually the Navy was my 1st choice but due to my age I went with the Army.

I have done a lot of research on Army Social Work as there is very little info out there. I come to find out they are understrength at 77% with over 60 billets available. There is a 1 yr SW accession internship one must do after OBLC. So I am pretty psyched about the whole process. Right now its just a waiting game.

I am grateful to the site for having me and to all for posting your experiences.