Speech Therapists
Background
Speech therapists work as part of military medical teams. Speech therapists evaluate and treat patients with hearing and speech problems.
What They Do
Speech therapists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Assist patients in selecting and using hearing aids
- Conduct programs to help patients improve their speaking skills
- Evaluate examination and test data to determine the type and amount of hearing loss
- Examine the ears, including the entire auditory (hearing) system
- Identify speaking and language problems
- Research new techniques for treating hearing and speaking problems
- Talk with patients to discuss hearing and speaking problems and possible causes and treatment
- Treat hearing problems using hearing aids and other treatments
Physical Demands
No information available.
Special Requirements
A master's degree in either audiology or speech therapy is required to enter this career depending on the specialty.
Helpful Attributes
Helpful attributes include:
- Desire to help others
- Interest in scientific work
- Patience to work with people whose injuries heal slowly
Helpful School Subjects
No information available.
Helpful Fields of Study
No information available.
Work Environment
Speech therapists work in therapy labs, clinics, and medical centers.
Services offering this career:
- Air Force
- Army
- Navy
Hiring Practices
To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.
This position is for officers.
Wages
The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.
Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay.
Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.
There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.
Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.
Training Provided
No initial job training is provided to officers in this career.
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian speech therapists work in hospitals, clinics, schools, and research centers. They perform duties similar to those performed by military speech therapists. Depending on their specialty, civilian speech therapists may also be called audiologists or speech pathologists.
Related Civilian Careers
Employment and Outlook
In peace time the services have about 100 speech therapists. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new therapists due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. Positions for speech therapists in the Coast Guard are filled by US Public Health Service officers. After displaying leadership abilities, speech therapists may advance to senior management and command positions in the medical field.