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Psychologists

Psychological research and treatment are important to national defense. Research can show how to improve military training, job assignment, and equipment design. Treatment can help personnel cope with stress. Psychologists conduct research on human behavior and treat patients with mental problems.

Job Details:

What They Do:

Psychologists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

Conduct research on human and animal behavior, emotions, and thinking processes
Conduct research on aptitude and job performance
Give psychological tests and interpret results to diagnose patients' problems
Treat patients individually and in groups
Conduct experiments to determine the best equipment design, work procedures, and training course content
Write research reports
Direct research projects performed by outside contractors

Work Environment:

Psychologists usually work in offices, hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities on land and aboard ships.

Special Requirements:

A 4-year college degree in psychology is required to enter this occupation. Some specialties require a master's degree.

Opportunities:

The services have over 800 psychologists. Each year, they need new psychologists due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. With experience, they may lead projects of their own. New clinical psychologists may treat patients in military clinics. Eventually, both research and clinical psychologists may become directors of offices or laboratories.

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