The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is the largest employer of social workers with a master’s in social work. Social workers have worked for the department for nearly a century, since 1926.

Active duty military personnel and veterans who have returned from military service have unique experiences that may lead to physical, emotional and behavioral challenges, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder. 

According to the VA, the number of veterans with PTSD varies by service era or the type of trauma experienced:

• Up to 20% of veterans who served in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom experience PTSD in a given year.
• Up to 12% of veterans who served in the Gulf War experience PTSD in a given year.
• Up to 30% of veterans who have served in the Vietnam War have had PTSD in their lifetime.
• Up to 23% of women reported sexual assault while in the military.
• Up to 38% of men and 55% of women have experienced sexual harassment in the military.

Veterans are also more likely to be homeless than non-veterans, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

Inside the military, life also brings challenges like being away from family, living in remote areas or unfamiliar living conditions, stress from training and the politics of combat.

Social workers help current military members and veterans deal with issues like these and get resources they need to thrive on base and in civilian life. Throughout the military system, social workers offer services such as:

Military social workers and students who are interested in working with this population can keep up to date with military social work resources, organizations and military social work books and articles so they’re aware of the latest research in military social work and can better serve their clients. 

For social workers who want to learn more in school or advance their military social work career, they can keep connected and current on the latest issues and trends through military social worker organizations and resources.

Role of Social Worker on the Military

Social workers are an integral part of the military. As stated by the VA, “there are very few areas within the system where social workers do not play a pivotal role.”

Some areas social workers in the military contribute include:

• Veterans and family services: Social workers help veterans and their families navigate resources, find community living centers and access treatment.
• Military-to-civilian life transition: Social workers help veterans returning to civilian life by creating a safe and supportive environment through services like discharge planning and family education.
• Community adjustment: Social workers help veterans in the community with severe mental illness and provide services to prevent homelessness, including community nursing homes, transitional housing sites and residential care homes.
• Therapy: Social workers provide evidence-based therapy to veterans who have conditions like PTSD, depression and substance abuse issues.
• Veterans programs: Social workers advocate for, help plan and manage veterans programs for issues like suicide prevention, polytrauma rehabilitation and spinal cord injuries.

Social workers may also work as active duty military and serve in the armed forces. Regardless of what area of social work a professional is in, most social workers who interact with adults will serve the military population in some capacity.

Information on this page was last updated in June 2021.