Pfc. Brandon Jones confronts the challenges that bedevil some soldiers.

He is a mental health specialist in the behavioral clinic at Madigan Army Medical Center. His military occupational specialty, or MOS, is 68X.

"I give mental status exams for soldiers wanting to be snipers, drill sergeants and recruiters," said Jones.  "This is a pretty cool job, and I really get the chance to help other soldiers," he added.

A native of Detroit, Mich., Jones joined the Army 18 months ago to serve his country and to help pay for his education.  He is one semester away from earning his bachelor's degree in social work from the University of Washington.

"I plan on making the Army a career, and once I leave I want to work as an Army social worker," he added.

His MOS does have, however, its challenges.

Jones often works with soldiers who are coping with serious psychological issues.

Several weeks ago, Jones noticed a soldier who had recently returned from Iraq becoming increasingly agitated in the waiting room. 

"He was crying; he was very frustrated," recalled Jones.

"I took him out of the room and into a classroom, where we were alone, and then went and found a provider," he added.

Being alone in the classroom did the trick, and the soldier calmed down.

"He told me afterwards that he really appreciated what I did for him," said Jones. 

Jones said that the best part of the job is knowing that he has helped another soldier.  But the worst part of the career field is knowing that despite his and the providers' best efforts the soldier sometimes does not feel as though he or she has been helped.

"When you do all you can to help, and they still find there is no reason to live," said Jones quietly.  "That hurts," he added.

This is one tough MOS.

Besides the challenges of this military occupational specialty, a soldier also has to consider the amount of work involved.

"The school at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is five months long, and it is very tough," recounted Jones as he leafed through a Diagnostic and Statistics Manual, DSM IV, the bible in the mental health field.  "Of the thirty-six soldiers who began the class, only seventeen finished," he added.

Jones encourages soldiers who are interested in this MOS to follow their dream and go for it.

"There is no greater reward than helping another soldier," he added.