Navy Psychology Internships - FAQs

2) Q: If I join the military do I have to live on base?

A: You will be given what is known as BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) which will vary depending on duty station location and whether the service member has dependents. This is a sum of money (tax free) that you will receive each month toward housing. Depending on availability, on-base housing may be an option to those who desire it; however, if you choose to live on base you will not receive BAH.

3) Q: I’ve never been in the military before. How hard will I find it to fit in?

A: If selected for a Navy psychology internship, you will attend a five-week of Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, Rhode Island before you begin your internship. This program is designed to fully prepare healthcare providers , attorneys, hospital administrators and other professionals for service as an officer in the military. Having no previous military experience will not be a hindrance to your internship experience or your time in service following the internship.

4) Q: Will I be deployed (sent into a combat theater) if I join the military?

A: As a member of the military, there is a possibility of being deployed in support of medical readiness (not as a combatant). You will not be deployed during your internship year, however during the three years of active duty following your internship year deployment (e.g., to a fleet hospital, aircraft carrier, Guantanamo Bay, etc.) may be possible.

5) Q: How will I prepare for licensure if I end up getting deployed after my internship year?

A: The Navy is very interested in seeing that you get licensed. Just like doctors in the civilian world, doctors in the military must hold a valid state license (a license in any state is acceptable) to practice independently. If you are deployed before you get your license you will practice with a licensed provider to ensure the highest standard of care and ethical practice.

6) Q: I’m a fairly laid back person. Is the military all about formality, and saluting, and other customs?

A: Customs and courtesies are important in the military, however you need not be formal every minute of the day while in uniform. The degree of formality that is required depends on the context and situation. For example, meeting your commanding officer will require greater formality and decorum, but the greetings and interactions with your fellow interns and other junior officers are less formal.

7) Q: What are the physical fitness requirements for the program?

A: You must first be physically qualified for commissioning as a Medical Service Corps (MSC) officer in the Navy. All applicants will have a comprehensive medical and dental exam as part of your application package. Your Medical Programs Officer recruiter can explain more about the details of physical qualifications and the physical exam.

In addition, just like all other active duty personnel in the Navy, you will be required to conduct physical readiness tests, with associated height/weight/body fat measurements, twice each year. The test is designed to measure flexibility, muscular endurance and aerobic capacity. The Navy physical fitness test (PFT) consists of a 1.5-mile run, sit-ups (max # in 2 minutes), push-ups (max # in 2 minutes), and sit-reach (i.e., touching your toes while sitting flat on the ground). Also swimming 500m for time, running on a treadmill, or using an elliptical machine for time, are all options for the 1.5-mile run. You can earn a maximum of 100 points for each event; point levels are adjusted by gender and age. Your overall PFT score is determined by averaging your scores from the three fitness events (the sit-reach is Pass/Fail). The Navy PFT minimum standard is a total averaged score of 50 points.

8) Q: You say I can get deployed, where are psychologists likely to get deployed?

A: Psychologists may be deployed either in support of medical readiness (e.g., fleet hospitals, aircraft carriers) or in an operational context in support of strategic/tactical missions (usually reserved for more experienced psychologists). Psychologists remain in consultant or clinical practitioner roles when deployed in support of combat troops. Many find this type of support to our soldiers and sailors to be the most rewarding experiences in their professional careers.

9) Q: Does the military pay for uniforms?

A: Yes and no. When you first enter active duty service you receive an initial uniform allowance of $600.00. After the initial allowance, all other uniform purchases come out-of-pocket.

10) Q: Does the Naval internship have a basic theoretical focus?

A: During your internship, you will be exposed to a variety of clinical and theoretical approaches in your conceptualization of cases and delivery of treatment services. The Navy does not endorse any one particular approach, although short-term treatment models do lend themselves better to the transient nature of our patient and provider population.

11) Q: How much control do I have over where my first duty assignment is after internship and how long is this first assignment?

A: You have some but not total control over your duty assignment after the internship year. Around December of your internship year a list of billets (duty assignments) will become available to the current year interns. The interns will rank these billets from most desirable to least desirable. In late spring to early summer the interns will be informed of their duty assignment. These first assignments tend to be for 2-3 years, although some variation may apply to cases where individuals are assigned to overseas bases.