Do I have to go to AIT for 68X if I have my masters degree in clinical mental health?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 19:52:48 -0400

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Jun 6 at 2018 8:03 PM

SGT Eric Davis — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:03:27 -0400

Yes!

Response by SFC Marc W. made Jun 6 at 2018 8:07 PM

SFC Marc W. — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:07:57 -0400

If I may, have you considered one of the Army nursing programs or other routes? With a masters degree I predict a lot of frustrations for you because of who you work for.

Response by SSgt Ryan Sylvester made Aug 11 at 2018 6:01 AM

SSgt Ryan Sylvester — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 06:01:00 -0400

So wait. You have a Masters degree and you weren't already scheduled to go OCS from the get-go? Damn, your recruiter sold you short.

Response by LTC Stephan Porter made Oct 29 at 2018 7:27 AM

LTC Stephan Porter — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 07:27:06 -0400

There are some good comments in here; a direct commission into the Medical Service Corps through the AMEDD recruiters is your route. Call tr numbers turn you below. Even if you had contracted try an assess you. Also, there are loan repayment option through them as well, but I concur with the thought of being enlisted first. You will likely still have to go to AIT, but will allow you to make connections and see the process that produces the Soldiers that may some day work for you. I would set a goal of making SGT before switching over. Feel free to send me a PM and I would be happy to help mentor you through the process.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2021 12:43 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 12:43:02 -0400

If you're enlisted--yes. I'm a psychologist in the civilian world and enlisted to get some experience as a soldier before trying to go officer. I'm in the middle of direct commissioning, which takes a hot minute (8-12 months, per my AMEDD recruiter). I was MOS qualified as a 68W, but they quickly discovered my civilian job and transferred me to a medical detachment as a 68X NCO. Despite my credentials, experience, and what have you. I am currently reserved to go to 68X AIT as a prior service early next year. As stated, your civilian credentials don't mean sh**. You need to be MOS qualified before you can work in that MOS. As far as your masters, only people who are licensed as an LCSW can direct commission at the master's level (besides nurses, etc...). If your degree is licensable as a LPC, LPCC, LMFT, then you're SOL. So far, the Army only recognizes LCSWs, Psychologists, Psychiatrists and nurses as qualified MH professionals (advanced nurses too) the last time I checked. If you have a degree, you're likely going to go through OCS and become a 2LT. However, as a 68X, you're not going to be able to become anything besides an enlisted NCO. Not sure if that answers your question, but in short--there's no shortcuts despite your experience as far as I'm aware. But, I could always be wrong!