Joint Special Operations University

Vision

USSOCOM's "Think-Do Tank" - Center for Special Operations Thinking.

Mission

JSOU prepares SOF professionals to address strategic and operational challenges, arming them with the ability to think through problems with knowledge, insight, and foresight.

We sharpen the edge of SOF's Advantage:

The next-generation SOF professional

SOF Truths

Humans are more important than hardware.

Quality is better than Quantity.

Special Operations Forces cannot be mass produced.

Competent Special Operations Forces cannot be created after emergencies occur.

Most special operations require non-SOF assistance.

Recent Publications

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Special Operations Research Topics 2023
Published on 9/13/2022
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The Network Illusion: How a Network-Centric Special Operations Culture Impedes Strategic Effect
Authored by:
Mike Nagata, Dr Diane Zorrie, Christopher Marsh, Margaret Smith, David Ellis, Charlie Black
Published on 8/29/2022
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ArcticNEXT: Compound Security Threats in Strategic Competition
Authored by:
Lilian Alessa
Published on 8/25/2022
Learn More

Getting Started

Browse Our Courses

JSOU provides education to SOF and to the people who enable the SOF mission in a joint environment. In addition to the regular courses taught at MacDill Air Force Base (AFB), JSOU routinely conducts both regular and tailored off-station activities for SOF units worldwide by means of remote on-site instruction, DL courses, and via video teleinstruction (VTI).

Special Events

Check out our special event offerings.

Learn Our History

In September 2000, under the leadership of then USSOCOM Commander, Army General Peter Schoomaker, JSOU was established as an institution of higher learning.

International Education

The Joint Special Operations University's (JSOU) international education curriculum directly supports the theater special operations commands' (TSOCs) theater campaign support plans.


Popular Resources

Campus Orientation Video

Watch a short, but informative video regarding initial contact with JSOU facilities.

Factbook

To accomplish its mission, JSOU employs an extremely diverse workforce, all of whom are hired or assigned to a variety of staffing programs. Click here to learn more.

Student Handbook

An exhaustive resource for all JSOU students - full of FAQs, base information, expectations, and more.

FAQs

Check out our most common questions from the community.

Transcript Request

Request your JSOU transcripts.

Replacement Certificate Request

Need a replacement certificate? We've got you covered.


Upcoming Events


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    Today's Courses

    Enterprise Management Course
    Class #40 (17-Oct-2022 to 14-Dec-2022)
    SIIA Directed Readings and Research (Pilot)
    23A (01-Oct-2022 to 31-Dec-2022)
    Special Operations Planning Course
    23A (06-Dec-2022 to 16-Dec-2022)

    Upcoming Courses

    Special Operations Forces- Influence and Operations in the Information Environment (Pilot)
    Starts in 2 days
    Assessments, Monitoring, and Evaluation (Pilot)
    Starts in 2 days
    Special Operations Forces Interagency Collaboration Course - Virtual
    Starts in 2 days
    Special Operations Forces-Security Cooperation
    Starts in 2 days
    Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy
    Starts in 23 days
    Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy
    Starts in 24 days
    Understanding State Fragility and Institutional Resiliency (Pilot)
    Starts in 30 days
    Joint Fundamentals Course
    Starts in 30 days
    Enterprise Management Course
    Starts in 30 days
    Joint Fundamentals Course
    Starts in 30 days
    Leadership Foundations for Joint SOF Professionals (Pilot)
    Starts in 30 days
    SOF Creative Problem Solving – Fundamentals Online
    Starts in 30 days
    JSOUs Design Fundamentals Online
    Starts in 30 days
    Theater Special Operations Command Staff Preparation Course-Mobile
    Starts in 30 days
    View all upcoming