Live Virtual Training via Zoom

Marcus Van Sickle, PhD, ABPP, APMP, presents a live virtual professional training program on Forensic Evaluations in the U.S. Military in partnership with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP).

Psychologists practicing in military and federal settings may encounter forensic and administrative evaluations that differ substantially from their civilian counterparts. This workshop provides an applied introduction to psychological evaluations involving U.S. military personnel, with emphasis on the legal standards, military culture, records, command structures, and procedural features that shape the evaluator's work.

The workshop begins with an overview of military culture and the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), including important differences between courts-martial and civilian criminal proceedings and examples of offenses that are unique to, or function differently within, the military environment. The primary focus will be evaluations conducted under Rule for Courts-Martial 706, including competency to stand trial, mental responsibility, diagnostic formulation, collateral data, response style, and the military's distinctive reporting requirements.

Additional sections will address psychological risk assessment during court-martial sentencing, including the unusual need to conduct some sentencing-focused evaluations before a finding of guilt, as well as selection and limitations of structured violence, sexual recidivism, and other risk-assessment approaches. The workshop will conclude with brief introductions to the governing policies and conduct of fitness-for-duty evaluations and psychological evaluations relevant to national-security eligibility. Throughout the program, emphasis will be placed on ethical practice, role clarity, appropriate methodology, military cultural competence, and translating psychological findings into the specific legal or administrative question being asked.

This workshop would most benefit early- to mid-career forensic practitioners who are currently working with military members or are interested in working with them in this context in the future.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe military forensic evaluations from civilian state and federal evaluations with regard to referral source, jurisdiction, records, roles, and reporting.
  • 2 Describe the core legal standards for R.C.M. 706 competency and mental responsibility inquiries, including R.C.M. 909 and R.C.M. 916(k).
  • 3 Describe and communicate appropriate violence, sexual recidivism, IPV, stalking, and targeted-violence risk assessment approaches when requested for sentencing.
  • 4 Describe evaluation data sources, interview domains, testing considerations, and report-writing pitfalls specific to court-martial practice.

  • Intended Audience

    This workshop is designed for forensic practitioners who are currently working with, or have an interest in working with, military members in contexts involving psychological evaluations. The content is tailored for those who seek to deepen their understanding of the unique legal, procedural, and cultural aspects of military settings, including the application of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, military-specific offenses, and the distinct requirements for psychological assessments within the military justice system. Attendees will benefit from a focus on ethical practice, military cultural competence, and the translation of psychological findings into relevant legal or administrative contexts.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Forensic Psychologist
    • Clinical Psychologist
    • Mental Health Professional
    • Military Behavioral Health Specialist
    • Forensic Evaluator
    • Psychological Assessment Specialist
    • Military Consultant
    • Court-Martial Evaluation Specialist

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals with varying levels of experience in forensic and military settings.

    • Beginner: Little or no prior experience conducting forensic or administrative psychological evaluations in military or federal contexts; may be familiar with general forensic principles but new to military-specific legal standards, culture, and procedures.

    • Intermediate: Some experience with forensic evaluations in civilian or military settings; basic familiarity with military culture, UCMJ, or court-martial processes, but seeking to deepen applied skills and understanding of military-specific evaluation standards and reporting.

    • Advanced: Substantial experience conducting forensic or administrative evaluations for military personnel; strong working knowledge of military legal standards, risk assessment approaches, and reporting requirements, seeking to refine practice and address complex or nuanced cases.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals practicing in military and federal settings may work in environments that include military bases, federal medical centers, military hospitals, or legal offices supporting military justice processes. Their work often involves collaboration with command staff, legal personnel, and other behavioral health providers. These professionals conduct evaluations in secure facilities, outpatient clinics, or administrative offices, and may also provide consultation or testimony in court-martial or administrative hearings. The setting is shaped by military hierarchy, unique legal standards, and the need for cultural competence regarding military life and operations.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Military treatment facilities (e.g., hospitals, clinics on bases)
    • Behavioral health clinics within military installations
    • Legal offices supporting courts-martial or administrative hearings
    • Federal medical centers serving active duty or veteran populations
    • Secure forensic units within military or federal systems
    • Consultation roles with military commands or legal counsel
    • Telehealth services for remote military populations
    • Administrative offices conducting fitness-for-duty or security clearance evaluations
Presented By

Marcus Van Sickle, PhD, ABPP, APMP

Marcus VanSickle, PhD, ABPP, APMP is a forensic psychologist and advanced practice medical psychologist (RxP) and owner of Themis Forensic Psychological Services, LLC. He is dual board certified in Forensic Psychology and Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and completed an APA-accredited fellowship in forensic psychology at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Dr. VanSickle retired from the U.S. Navy after 24 years of military service, including 10 years of prior service in the U.S. Marines, with extensive experience conducting and consulting on forensic evaluations within the military justice system. His professional interests include competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, violence and recidivism risk assessment, behavioral threat assessment, and the intersection of psychology, military culture, and law. He also serves as an assistant professor in the medical and clinical psychology PhD program at the Uniformed Services University.


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Training Outline
Key Topics Covered in this Training Include:

  • Introduction
    • Unique aspects of forensic practice in military settings and the importance of cultural competence
  • Military culture for the forensic evaluator
    • Discussion on structural and cultural differences across branches of the U.S. Military. Emphasis on the importance of understanding culturally normative behavior and unique aspects of services across branches.
  • Overview of the UCMJ and Military Courts

    Brief overview of the military court system and how it differs from other U.S. courts

  • Military offenses
    • Overview of offenses unique to the military 
    • Overview of RCM 706 and the Sanity Board
  • Competency to stand trial in the military

    Introduction to RCM 909, application of Dusky Standard, conducting the evaluation, common instruments used in assessing competency

  • Mental responsibility under the UCMJ

    Introduction to sanity evaluations in the military. Review of relevant legal standards and instruments used when conducting this evaluation.

  • Sentencing
    • Risk of recidivism evaluations. Common evaluations requested and unique challenges in the application of risk assessment tools in this population
    • Fitness for Duty and Security Clearance evaluations. Review of the relevant policies and guidelines applicable to each and how findings are communicated
  • Closing case example

    Ttying it all together. Review case examples of different types of evaluations. Answer audience questions. 

Live Event Policy

Registration for our live events is covered for one (1) person per purchase. If you would like to purchase for a group, please purchase more than one registration for this event.

  • Event Communications

    When registering, use an email that is active and that you check regularly. We are not responsible for communications not being received; if you do not add [email protected] to your email safe sender list, our emails are likely to end up in your spam or junk folders.

  • Cancellation Policy

    Have a sudden change of plans and are unable to attend live? No worries; you will be given access to the on-demand version of the program once available. Please note that if you attend live, no access to the recording will be given.

  • Event Conduct

    Professional conduct is expected during our live programs. Our goal is to make our events as interactive as possible for all participants. We reserve the right to remove any participants who are disruptive, act unprofessionally, or who we are unable to verify their purchase.

We are proud to partner with

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

We are proud to partner with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP) for this training. AAFP is a non-profit organization of board-certified forensic psychologists whose mission is to contribute to the development and maintenance of forensic psychology as a specialized field of study, research, and practice. The Academy does this by providing high-quality continuing education workshops, providing a forum for the exchange of scientific information among its members, and conferring awards upon outstanding students and practitioners in the field of forensic psychology.

Learn More About Our Partner

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).


Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.