Opportunities for psychology majors in military careers?

I'm a high school junior considering majoring in psychology and possibly pursuing a career in the military. How would that work out, and what opportunities are out there for psychology majors within military careers?

The military provides several opportunities for students who want to major in psychology. These avenues typically revolve around roles in mental health and behavioral sciences.

An obvious position would be as a psychologist within the Military Health System, which provides health care for active duty and retired military personnel and their dependents. These psychologists treat a wide range of mental health issues from anxiety and depression to post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. This role would necessitate a doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology.

Military Social Workers are another related career choice. These individuals offer various psychosocial services to military service members and their families to enhance their resilience and cope with the psychological strains of military service. This path usually requires a Master's in Social Work.

Another relevant area is Human Intelligence Collector or Analyst roles within military intelligence units. These roles, which require understanding psychological principles, use interrogation and surveillance to glean information about potential threats and enemy activities. This job can be accessed with a bachelor's degree.

Finally, some psychology majors pursue roles in research within the military, working alongside other scientists to conduct research that benefits military operations, policy, training, and even equipment design. These roles could be at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) or similar groups, and they tend to require advanced degrees.

Joining the military prior to completing your education might also be beneficial. The military offers financial assistance programs, like the GI Bill, to help cover the cost of education for service members. This could be a great way to pay for graduate school if you're interested in becoming a psychologist or a social worker.

Remember, however, that each of these paths requires specific training and qualifications beyond just a bachelor's degree in psychology. Prior to pursuing any of these careers, you'll want to research specific requirements and the education or training pathway associated with each.