Military Psychology

Call for papers: Psychology Aweigh! A History of Clinical Psychology in the Navy, 1989-2026

Call for papers: Psychology Aweigh! A History of Clinical Psychology in the Navy, 1989-2026

Submission deadline for abstracts: 1 June 2026

Guest Editors

• Carrie Kennedy, PhD
• Andre Sobocinski
• Joseph Bonvie, PsyD
• Marcus Van Sickle, PhD

This is a call for papers for a special issue of the journal Military Psychology. The theme of the issue is: “Psychology Aweigh! A History of Clinical Psychology in the Navy, 1989-2026” and is being guest edited by Carrie Kennedy (U.S. Navy), Andre Sobocinski (Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery), Joseph Bonvie (U.S. Navy retired) and Marcus Van Sickle (U.S. Marine Corps/Navy retired).

Background

In 1990, APA published a book entitled Psychology Aweigh! A History of Clinical Psychology in the United States Navy, 1900-1988, written by Frederick L. McGuire (1926-2005). This book represents a formal history of Navy Clinical Psychology, but is in need of updating. Since 1988, the practice of clinical psychology in the Navy has changed substantially. From the basic qualifications to become a Navy clinical psychologist to serving in expeditionary billets and warzone practice, the manner in which psychologists support Navy and Marine Corps missions has evolved. This special issue will serve to capture this evolution, provide valuable historical documentation before the key personnel involved in implementing these changes are unavailable, and highlight the research and practice insights gained during the time period.

Details

Article submissions are encouraged to address the range of Navy clinical psychology duties, including but not limited to:

• Recruit Screening and Evaluation
• Traditional Military Treatment Facility Evaluation and Treatment
• Disaster Management
• Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Training Support
• Embedded Practice and Deployments:
  • Fleet Marine Force
  • Surface Forces
  • Submarines
  • Aviation
  • Special Forces
• Operational Practice:
  • Assessment and Selection
  • Consultation
• Professional Practice Issues:
  • Female Psychologists in the Navy
  • Combatting Burnout
  • Prescribing Psychology
  • Navy Psychologist accession pipelines and standards, subspecialties, and advanced qualifications

All types of manuscripts will be considered, including original research, program evaluations, program descriptions which include their evidence base, research and practice reviews, lessons learned, and historical reviews.