Are there military roles for people with a bachelor's in social work?

I'm planning to major in social work in college, but I'm also interested in exploring military careers. Does anyone know if there are specific roles in the military that align with a background in social work?

Definitely! There are indeed roles within the military that align with a background in social work. The U.S. Armed Forces employ social workers in various capacities across different branches.

For instance, the Army has positions for Social Work Officers, where roles can involve offering mental health support to servicemen and women and their families or coordinating plans to address issues like substance abuse, family affairs, and more. A Social Work Officer can also work in a hospital or clinical setting to provide various social work services.

The Navy also employs Licensed Clinical Social Workers and they perform very similar roles to the Army's Social Work Officers, providing critical psychological and social support to Navy and Marine Corps service members and their families.

In the Air Force, there are Behavioral Sciences Officers who can specialize in social work. These officers assess, diagnose, and treat the mental health conditions of servicemen and women, among other responsibilities.

So, military service can definitely align with a background in social work. After completing your bachelor's in social work, you could consider earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, which is required for clinical social work roles in civilian settings and can enhance your opportunities in the military as well. Additionally, you may need to pass a licensing or certification exam to practice social work within the military, depending on the exact position.

Additionally, it's worth noting that social workers in the military often have opportunities to pursue continuing education and further their professional development, and these roles can come with good benefits and the chance to make a real difference in the lives of servicemen and women and their families.

Do keep in mind that each branch of the military has different requirements, so you may want to have a chat with a military recruiter or an academic advisor, for more specific information tailored to your goals.