My wife and I are both licensed clinical social workers. Several months ago we met with a recruiter to discuss joining the Navy as there is a need for our profession. We both have several years of experience and specialize in the treatment of PTSD, anxiety, substance abuse etc. We passed our physicals, our paperwork processed with no problems. We met our weight requiments, we were in great shape to go to ODS. Both of our licenses are in good standing with our state boards. Our recruiter told us that the social work community and the medical community had both endorsed us to be commissioned.
Yet, we were turned down by a committee in DC ( I think). I believe the phrase was "not best qualified."(?) not sure of the exact phrase. I guess I am having a WTF moment.
Our recruiter said he is not sure why we were turned down and would be looking into why both qualified professionals were turned away. I asked if the reason we were turned away is because she and I are married and are both wanting to be commissioned. He said he didn't know. I guess I just need some feedback on this. Has anyone ever heard of something like this?

Sorry to hear about that, hopefully the recruiter will find somethign. However, if it is somethign you guys really want to do..perhaps you can try again in the near future?

What your recruiter thinks is non-consequential, honestly, only the board matters. Based on what you've provided us, it seems they had other applicants who were more qualified. None of us here can tell you what, specifically, made the other aplicants stand out more.

All you can do is apply again.

William will have more of an idea on manning needs for LCSW's.

Good luck.

Any Kids? Otherwise not sure why they would have turned you done. Last year I would have known but the Navy changed their mind on scrubbing LCSWs. They are supposed to be in the process of increasing numbers so????? Not sure from my end.

No kids. No health problems. Overall life in good shape. My wife thinks its because we are married and finding billets to keep us together for the first tour is going to be difficult, even though we had some options for billets.

We have both been in the mental health/substance abuse field for about 9 years. I'm having a really difficult time believing there are other applicants who are more qualified given the depth of our experiences. I have been told be several Navy folks that the Navy is expanding its social work force from 23 to 150. This is confounding.

Our recruiter asked for a few days to find out why we were not selected other than "not best qualified." (I can't begin to tell you how much that phrase stings.) Beyond that we can try again in 6 months. I'm seriously considering calling our senators and asking them for help on this. I also don't want a target on my back so to speak if we do get in by calling our senators. I appreciate the feedback from everyone. really. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Have a look at the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. May have something that suits. The U.S.P.H.S. is a uniformed service along with the N.O.A.A. Commissioned Corps.

quote:

Originally posted by 21152371:
My wife thinks its because we are married and finding billets to keep us together for the first tour is going to be difficult, even though we had some options for billets.

thing is they dont have to keep you together (by instruction). needs of service come first. Now, if you stated being apart was a deal breaker and you would not enter unless they could garuntee you would be together, then that could happen, as by instruction they will not garuntee that.

quote:

I'm seriously considering calling our senators and asking them for help on this.

congress can do nothing unless the Navy violated procedure. They can say no for any number of reasons.

I agree with Masters, and re-apply for the Navy if you'd like (or another branch of service)