Military and veterans

female army soldier saluting with the American flag in background

The application of psychological principles, theories, and methods to the evaluation, selection, assignment, and training of military personnel, as well as to the design of military equipment. This field of applied psychology also includes the application of clinical and counseling techniques to the maintenance of morale and mental health in military settings and covers human functioning in a variety of environments during times of peace and war.

Adapted from the APA Dictionary of Psychology

Resources from APA

Deep cutbacks and restructuring at the VA are diminishing care

It is an important time for psychologists to rally in support of high-quality care for veterans and to protect the VA’s future

faces of soldiers from different military branches

Building mental strength in the military

Fostering cognitive resilience, optimizing performance among service members

The future of human-robot teams

Ericka Rovira, PhD, talks about how robots are being used in the military and other complex, high-stakes arenas

How to join the Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce

The IPPW is actively recruiting psychologists and other civilians with a background in public health or social science

More resources about military and veterans

What APA is doing

Advocacy

Military and veterans

APA Services works to support military personnel and veterans, their families, and their communities, as well as the psychologists who conduct health research with and provide direct services to these military-connected populations.

soldier and his family with a psychotherapist during a session

Divisions

Society for Military Psychology

APA’s Division 19 encourages the application of psychological research to military problems. Military psychologists conduct research, provide mental health services, teach, consult, and advise the military.