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The purpose of this study was to investigate factors associated with the professional role perceptions and functions of Air Force social workers. Existing evidence had indicated that they tended to restrict their professional activities to a psychiatric model of practice. Several variables, including those of professional identity and professional security, were examined in relation to breadth of professional role perception. Fixed alternative response scales were constructed to measure these variables. The results indicated that the workers who (1) were most secure in their role activities and (2) were able to distinguish the attitudes and skills of their profession from those of psychiatry were the ones who expressed the most comprehensive perception of desired role functions. Implications of the study for the Air Force involved re-consideration of existing managerial and administrative structures in relation to the psychiatric role modeling expectation for social workers. Implications for the social work profession concerned the need for programs of continuing edcation.