NCO selected for Army Masters of Social Work program

Photo By James Stare | Staff Sgt. Shaniek Tose, flanked by her husband, Daniel Tose, daughter, Isabelle, 3, and her Headquarters, Headquarters Battery, 6-52 Air Defense Artillery Battalion, was recognized during an end-of-tour ceremony, August 20, at Suwon Air Base. During the ceremony, Tose officially announced her decision to enter the Army's Master of Social Work program and become a second lieutenant rather than accept a promotion to sergeant first class, for which she had recently been Department of the Army selected. (U.S. Army photo by PFC Kim, Jun Seo (KATUSA), 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade)  

SUWON, 41, SOUTH KOREA

08.20.2018

Story by Staff Sgt. Todd Pouliot 

35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade

An intelligence analyst noncommissioned officer, and former medic, from 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 35th ADA Brigade, not only earned Department of the Army selection to be promoted to sergeant first class, she was also selected by U.S. Army Medical Command to pursue the Army's Masters Degree of Social Work program, leading to licensure in clinical social work.

Staff Sgt. Shaniek Tose's decision to either become a senior NCO or a commissioned officer came down to pursing her passion of helping others.

"I loved being an intelligence analyst, but it took me away from what I realized was my passion," said Tose, a native of Boston. "Social workers treat a whole variety of different issues affecting a person's life, whether it is addiction, or post-partum depression, or any host of things that can affect the way a person functions in society. It's a wide scope and I'm really excited about that."

Before joining the Army, Tose attended Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Natural Science with an emphasis on therapeutic affects on movement. A year-long internship sparked a deep appreciation for the unique approach of social work.

"That really exposed me to all the different fields of social work; psycholgy, occupational therapy; and just how we have this holistic approach to care rather than just giving medication," she said. "As a social worker, you can really treat the whole person."

Tose credits her leaders for her growth as a professional Soldier, encouraging her to achieve her goals, and to make the most of every opportunity to excel.

"I've been fortunate in the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade to have had a lot of outstanding leaders," she said. "If Soldiers want the opportunity to further their career, or feel that there is more they can do - or want to do - surround yourself with leaders who will be very generous with their knowledge; people who are willing to train you and mentor you. That is the reason I was able to find success and get into this program."

• Date Taken: 08.20.2018
• Date Posted: 08.27.2018 04:38
• Story ID: 290361
• Location: SUWON, 41, KR
• Hometown: BOSTON, MA, US