Are there legal ramifications with having LCSW in my signature block when I am not working in the role of a social worker?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 23:27:37 -0500

I am an E-6 but also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I am currently a squad leader at a Warrior Transition Battalion. My signature block has LCSW after my name to represent my credentials. However, I was told that I need to remove it because I am not working in the role of a social worker. My credentials are earned and whether or not I am in uniform I am still an LCSW. I am licensed and I have a Master's Degree in Social Work. By the way, I will be commissioned as a 73A pending board approval. Are there legal ramifications with having LCSW in my signature block? What are your thoughts?

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jan 6 at 2020 11:31 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 23:31:16 -0500

Stick to your guns to say you will get out

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 6 at 2020 11:41 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 23:41:25 -0500

AR25-50 says no. Para 6-4, note 6-8 and the one time it is allowed, and Appendix D.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2020 11:57 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 23:57:18 -0500

By the way we were given a specific template for email signature block. Which is what I am referring to, not a traditional signature block that would appear on an MFR.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Jan 7 at 2020 8:01 AM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 08:01:33 -0500

Your, or your GS coworker's, authority to sign has nothing to to do with anything other than your assigned billet and the legal authority extended by those in authority designating that those in your billet are authorized to sign. Any extraneous information only clouds the issue and could cause questions in the future; i.e. who was this LCSW?, Was this LCSW someone from outside the chain that was brought aboard especially for this instance?, Why didn't the squad leader sign instead of an LCSW?

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2020 8:49 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 08:49:30 -0500

The book answer
AR 25-13, ch 3-2:
Signature blocks within emails will contain only the necessary business information, such as: the name of the organization (office, activity, or unit represented); official mailing address or unit information; name of individual; telephone numbers (Defense Switched Network, commercial telephone, cell phone number, or facsimile numbers); office email addresses or government websites (unit web or social media page); government disclaimer (Privacy Act Statement, Attorney Client Notice); unit historical motto (http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil); or any other information approved by HQDA. Requests for exceptions will be submitted to the first O6 or equivalent in the chain of command (with possible delegation to the next O5 in the chain of command, or his/her equivalent).
The common sense answer:
Degrees and certifications that are not part of your military job are not "necessary business information".
Your military email is part of your military job. Right now your military job is not LCSW.
Your email signature block should explain exactly what it is you do in the unit.
Right now it sounds like you are working where there are LCSWs and you are not one of them, you have a different job, and that signature block can get pretty misleading and confusing
Once you commission to 73A and are credentialed by the Army and it's your Army job, go ahead and add it.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 7 at 2020 4:16 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 16:16:17 -0500

SSG W Mc thanks for working at the WTB. Where are you stationed? How is life as a SL for soldiers going through MEBOARD process? Do you think there can be ways to improve the process and what are the challenges you experience from screening to a battle handover to the VA for the soldiers?