A Brief History of the Military Training of the Enlisted Mental Health Worker

This article explores the evolution of the training and preparation of the men and women who served in an enlisted capacity in the mental health field as social workers or social work assistants. While most emphasis is given to the events of 1941 and beyond, it recognizes its pre-World War II roots. The article examines the transformation of the enlisted specialist through the years, including changes in qualifications and expectations. Although all services are included, the Army is given greatest emphasis in part due to its historical prominence in the development of this enlisted specialty.