Military Psychology Students: Contributions, Pathways, and Opportunities

Abstract

Interest in military psychology has undoubtedly risen for students during the past 14 years of war. Issues such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and veteran suicide routinely make headlines and inspire current and future researchers and clinicians to improve the well-being of service members and their families. A growing number of undergraduate and graduate students, some of them barely in preschool when the twin towers fell on 9/11, are dedicating their studies and careers to the field of military psychology. This chapter’s intent is to highlight the student experience and their contribution to military psychology, and to serve as a guide for current and future students interested in pursuing such a career.

Appendices

Appendix 1: How to Become a Division 19 Campus Representative

Interested students who wish to supplement or tailor their formal education with military psychology-specific training are often limited to the clinical training or research opportunities already developed at their institutions. For students who do not attend programs near military installations or VA centers, or whose programs lack well-established research collaborations with the DoD, there are fewer if any opportunities to learn about the military or become engaged within the field of military psychology. For those students in particular, the establishment of military psychology student interest groups on campus can provide a valuable introductory experience to career options in the military, as well as the opportunity to learn about military culture.

History of the Program

In 2013, the Division 19 Student Affairs Committee proposed the establishment of an official Student Chapter Network of campus affiliations. On January 1, 2014 the Division 19 Student Chapter Network was officially formed, and by the year’s end it boasted 35 active military psychology student chapters across the United States.

By forming a network connected to the premier professional organization for military psychology, these student groups became able to communicate and coordinate with like-minded peers, engage in sponsored educational and training opportunities, receive immediate support from an established chain of command, and seek mentorship from uniformed and civilian military psychologists. As of this writing, there are currently 38 active Division 19 Student Chapters in the United States. A comprehensive list of both active and inactive chapters seeking new student leaders may be found in Appendix 2.

Becoming a Campus Representative

The Division 19 Student Affairs Committee accepts applications from prospective campus representatives on a rolling basis (applications can be found on the Division 19 Student Affiliate website, www.div19students.org, or can be requested from the Student Affairs Committee directly). Each university psychology or counseling program may have one to two Division 19 Campus Representatives who serve a liaison function, facilitating communication between the division and their university program. Campus reps report to regional representatives on the status of their chapter, providing information about activities, relaying needs and soliciting support, and collecting information about Division 19 educational/training opportunities to disseminate to their peers . Campus representatives are carefully selected for their projected leadership capabilities, interest level in pursuing a military psychology-related career, and overall character. Many campus reps have a well-documented interest in the military; however, this is not necessary a prerequisite for the position, nor is military experience. All must have a drive for personal leadership development and a desire to facilitate the sharing of knowledge about military psychology and military culture among their peers.

If one is not already established, new campus representatives are strongly encouraged to develop a Division 19 Student Chapter on their campus; however, this is not a requirement of the position. Should a new campus rep decide to do so, he or she is provided with an electronic copy of the Military Psychology Student Group Handbook (Barry, 2013), and offered support and mentorship throughout the development process by Division 19 student leaders.

Creating a Student Chapter

The Military Psychology Student Group Handbook is divided into two main parts: development and operations. In the development section, campus reps learn how to create a sustainable student organization from scratch, based upon the specific operational environment of that particular university program. Topics covered include assessing for the appropriateness and plausibility of developing a student chapter; researching the administrative processes necessary to create and operate a student group; gauging student interest; selecting a faculty sponsor; soliciting departmental support; marketing the group and advertising meetings; and generating membership growth .

The handbook’s operations section contains helpful guidance on the following topics: planning and executing events; structuring and recording business meetings; developing a leadership team; securing operational funding; growing and documenting institutional knowledge; and collaborating with other school, community, and military organizations. Also included is a sustainability section to ensure new chapters are established with longevity in mind.

Materials to support chapter development and operations are available in the appendix of the handbook, on the Division 19 Student Affiliate webpage, or can be requested directly from the current Division 19 Student Affairs Committee members. Although funding for student chapter operations is not immediately available from the division, the handbook does provide advice and ideas to campus reps in researching potential funding sources. Student chapters that are consistently active both within and outside their university programs, and that are regarded by the Student Affairs Committee as exemplifying the Division 19 mission and core values, may be selected for awards and/or special recognition by the division. Leaders of these high-performing chapters are particularly well qualified for promotion to regional representative and/or Student Affairs Committee positions.

Appendix 2: Society for Military Psychology Student Chapters Since 2014

Arizona

• Midwestern University

California

• Biola University—Rosemead School of Psychology

• California School of Professional Psychology (Alliant International University)—Los Angeles*

• California School of Professional Psychology (Alliant International University)—Sacramento

• California School of Professional Psychology (Alliant International University)—San Diego

• California School of Professional Psychology (Alliant International University)—San Francisco

• Palo Alto University

• The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Los Angeles Campus)

• The Wright Institute

Colorado

• Colorado State University*

District of Columbia

• American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University

• Catholic University*

• Gallaudet University*

• George Washington University

• The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (DC Campus)

Florida

• Carlos Albizu University

• Florida Institute of Technology

• Florida School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University

• Nova Southeastern University

Illinois

• Adler School of Professional Psychology

• The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Chicago Campus)

Indiana

• Ball State University*

Iowa

• University of Iowa

Kansas

• University of Kansas*

Maryland

• Loyola University Maryland

• Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Massachusetts

• Boston University

• William James College

Minnesota

• University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Professional Psychology

Mississippi

• University of Southern Mississippi

Missouri

• Forest Institute of Professional Psychology

Nebraska

• University of Nebraska—Lincoln

New Hampshire

• Antioch University (New England)

North Carolina

• North Carolina State University

• University of North Carolina—Charlotte

North Dakota

• University of North Dakota

Oklahoma

• University of Tulsa

Oregon

• George Fox University*

Pennsylvania

• Chatham University

• Drexel University

Tennessee

• Tennessee State University

Texas

• Sam Houston State University

• Texas A&M University

• Texas Tech University*

Virginia

• Old Dominion University

• The Virginia Consortium Program for Professional Psychology

• University of Virginia

Virtual/Multiple Locations

• Fielding Graduate University

West Virginia

• West Virginia University

Wisconsin

• University of Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

*Inactive/seeking new campus representative(s) as of September 28, 2016.