Army Occupational Therapy Specialist (MOS 68L)

Occupational Therapists (OTs) serve as health care professionals who help injured patients recover through therapeutic practices.

An Army Occupational Therapy Specialist (MOS 68L) does the same yet in a military setting.

Their role is to get injured or disabled troops either back on the battlefield or home safely following a traumatic event.

Army Occupational Therapy Specialists are very caring, helpful individuals that make a world of a difference to the U.S. Army.

Learn more about MOS 68L including job duties, training, education, salary, and civilian job outlook.

Related Article – Complete List of Army MOS Jobs

Education, Qualifications, and Training

68l mos army — Army Occupational Therapy Specialists (MOS 68L) assist troops in recovery from injuries. Image: Army.com

Army Occupational Therapy Specialists (MOS 68L) work under the direction of a registered military occupational therapist.

They supervise, assist, and test patients in order to provide maximum recovery.

Since 68L MOS has to do with the medical field there is a decent amount of education, qualifications, and training required.

Education

Everyone that is interested in the U.S. Army must meet basic qualifications in order to enlist.

In terms of education you need a high school diploma or GED in order to get considered.

After finishing high school you can proceed to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).

The ASVAB is an assortment of tests used to determine the best Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) based on your skill set.

Those that are interested in becoming an Army Occupational Therapy Specialist (MOS 68L) must score:

Skilled Technical (ST): 101
General Technical (GT): 107

High school classes that you should consider while preparing for MOS 68L include health and science classes like human anatomy, physiology, biology, algebra, and sports therapy.

Qualifications

The military career of an Army Occupational Therapy Specialist (MOS 68L) does not require a ton of extra qualifications, unlike some MOS.

You do not need any special military security clearance.

The Army mentions that those that aspire to become 68L MOS should have a willingness to help and care for others.

The ability to communicate effectively and work in stressful situations is also helpful.

Army Occupational Therapy Specialists also demonstrate a strong attention to detail.

Training

Army training begins with boot camp, or Basic Combat Training (BCT).

BCT lasts 10 weeks and prepares you for a military lifestyle with physical training as well as mental preparation.

Advanced Individual Training (AIT) is the next step following boot camp.

AIT prepares service members in the Army for their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).

Advanced Individual Training for 68L MOS is divided into two phases.

Phase one lasts 18 weeks and phase two is an additional 16 weeks.

All in all, you will spend over eight months preparing to become an Army Occupational Therapy Specialist.

It is one of the more demanding types of training for an MOS.

Advanced Individual Training for 68L MOS takes place at Fort Sam Houston in Texas.

You will learn more about patient care and working as part of a medical team.

The role is in rehabilitation so there is an emphasis on how to assist in that type of health care environment.

What does an Army Occupational Therapy Specialist Do?

An Army Occupational Therapy Specialist (MOS 68L) is responsible for the care of recovering soldiers that have been injured on the battlefield.

Occupational Therapy Specialists in the Army also assist with treating physical and mental disabilities that have resulted from illness or trauma.

The goal of an Army Occupational Therapy Specialist is to prevent injury, rehabilitate existing injuries, as well as promote a lifestyle that emphasizes healthy eating and exercise.

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Patient Care

Though a large part of the job of an Army Occupational Therapy Specialist is to assist people recovering from injuries, it is not all about physical therapy.

Occupational Therapists handle issues that have to do with all types of lifestyle choices.

The goal is to get patients back to the lifestyle they want or were used to prior to a significant injury or illness.

Occupational Therapy Specialists also promote healthy living by offering professional guidance and knowledge as to adjustments one can make to enjoy better living standards.

Job Duties of 68L MOS

An Army Occupational Therapy Specialist (MOS 68L) will spend time doing the following:

Create an individualized evaluation. The specialist will meet with a patient and determine the goals of the patient to get back to full health.
Customize an intervention plan to improve the person’s ability to perform daily activities related to life or a career in the military.
Meet regularly with the patient to perform the exercises laid out in the intervention plan.
Review the intervention plan to evaluate what is working and what can get improved.

Occupational Specialists generally rely on holistic methods to improve the lives of the patients they serve.

They will promote physical fitness along with healthy eating and other lifestyle choices.

Some of the job will also include paperwork filing official Army reports and other matters related to physical/occupational therapy.

What does an Army Occupational Therapy Specialist make?

The Army pays service members based on rank and years of service.

For a general idea as to what you will earn working as an Army Occupational Therapy Specialist, review the table below:

Pay Grade	Rank	Abbreviation	Minimum Monthly Pay
E-1 +4 months	Private	PVT	$1,917.60
E-2	Private Second Class	PV2	$2,149.20
E-3	Private First Class	PFC	$2,259.90
E-4	Specialist	SPC	$2,503.50
E-4	Corporal	CPL	$2,503.50
E-5	Sergeant	SGT	$2,730.30
E-6	Staff Sergeant	SSG	$2,980.50
E-7	Sergeant First Class	SFC	$3,445.80
E-8	Master Sergeant	MSG	$4,957.20
E-8	First Sergeant	1SG	$4,957.20
E-9	Sergeant Major	SGM	$6,055.50
E-9	Command Sergeant Major	CSM	$6,055.50
E-9	Sergeant Major of the Army	SMA	$6,055.50

Benefits

The U.S. Army offers multiple benefits in addition to the monthly salary you receive:

Medical Insurance
Vacation Time
Retirement
Special Pay
Education: Army members can earn full-tuition, merit-based scholarships, allowances for books and fees, plus annual stipend for living expenses.
Housing: Allowances for living expenses, utilities, and maintenance.
Food: Allowance for the on-base dining hall and access to tax-free department and grocery stores.

Job Reviews

The job reviews for an Army Occupational Therapy Specialist (MOS 68L) are very positive.

Army Occupational Therapy Specialists receive specialized training for free (or very little money) as well as years of experience before entering the civilian workforce.

It is difficult to match that type of opportunity anywhere else in the United States.

Civilian Job Opportunities

Serving as an Occupational Therapy Specialist in the Army will prepare you for a direct equivalent out in the civilian world.

Hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers all need experienced, qualified Occupational Therapy Specialists.

You can find work as an Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, or Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

You may want to consider joining the Army PaYS Program while serving the military.

The Army Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) is a recruitment option that guarantees job interviews with military-friendly employers following your honorable discharge from the Army.

Summary

Army Occupational Therapy Specialists (MOS 68L) work under the direction of a registered military occupational therapist.

They assist, test, and supervise troops in the recovery of a personal injury or traumatic event.

The role of an Army Occupational Therapy Specialist is vital to ensuring the overall well-being and healthy lifestyle of U.S. Army troops.

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Zach B.

Zachary B. served in the United States Army for 9 years, both as an active-duty soldier as well as the Army National Guard. He currently operates a a political blog, and works at a local online newspaper in Cortland, NY.

Zach currently resides in Syracuse, New York, and is very active in politics and local news media.