1990

August 1994

General Wayne Downing (3rd Commander, USSOCOM) establishes the Joint Special Operations Forces Institute at Fort Bragg, NC to address education requirements.

June 1998

General Peter Schoomaker (5th Commander, USSOCOM) tasks the Future Concepts Working Group to study SOF joint education and develop solutions if shortfalls exist.

May 1999

Implementation plans begin in earnest for a SOF University (SOFU).

2000

June 2000

Initial Charter for the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) is signed.

September 2000

JSOU is activated at Hurlburt Field, Florida, co-located with the USAF Special aOperations School. Initial focus is on operational level joint curriculum. BG Ken Bergquist, USA, is appointed first JSOU President.

December 2000

JSOU conducts its first International Mobile Education Team (MET) and establishes a long-lasting partnership with the NATO School at Oberammergau, Germany.

September 2001

Terrorists attack the US Homeland. Demand for JSOU courses increases as priorities shift to meet the emerging SOF joint education requirements.

July 2002

BG Paulette Risher is appointed the second JSOU President as General Charles Holland (6th Commander, USSOCOM) officiates.

June 2004

Center for Knowledge and Futures (SOKF) is activated at Hqs, USSOCOM. The JSOU President is dual-hatted as its Director.

September 2004

JSOU hosts the first Counter Terrorism Fellowship Program workshop for ASD (SO/LIC) attended by 65 US and International participants.

October 2004

The Strategic Studies Department is established and publishes the first Annual SOF Research Plan.

2005

April 2005

The JSOU Press is established as research and publication become a mainstream element of JSOU capability.

September 2005

BG Steven Hashem, USA is appointed the third JSOU President as General Doug Brown (7th Commander, USSOCOM) officiates.

October 2005

JSOU provides a MET to the Special Operations Division of the Polish Armed Forces, expanding academic engagement with TSOC-designated International Partners.

May 2006

JSOU’s first Strategic Plan is published following a command-wide Educational Requirements Analysis. This proposed a SOF Leadership Competency Model, validated the strategic studies initiative, increased PME support and fostered multiple delivery methods.

August 2007

Dr. Brian Maher is appointed to the Senior Executive Service and assumes JSOU Presidency as first civilian – Admiral Eric Olson (8th Commander, USSOCOM) officiates.

Admiral Olsen approves the re-location of JSOU to MacDill AFB, temporarily using the leased "Pinewood" facility outside the MacDill AFB main gate.

March 2008

Admiral Olson directs the establishment of the Joint Special Operations Senior Enlisted Academy (JSOFSEA).

January 2008

In response to the 2006 DOD Quadrennial Defense Review, JSOU launches its Irregular Warfare curriculum and expands its Interagency Education program to five courses.

July 2008

A SOF Education Azimuth Study leads to JSOU’s Future Concept, validating the move to Tampa, expanding NCO education and increasing support to Theater SOCs.

December 2009

JSOU receives college-level accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET), a Department of Education recognized national agency.

2010

May 2010

JSOFSEA inaugural class graduation with 32 joint SOF warriors.

Summer 2010

JSOU commences the move to Tampa as renovation begins to convert Pinewood into an academically suitable campus.

Fall 2010

JSOU enhances the SOF Education Network by placing academic liaisons at the Special Operations Component Headquarters and Schools.

April 2011

Admiral Olson and CSM Smith officiate at the dedication ceremony as the Pinewood Campus becomes fully operational.

November 2011

The USSOCOM Library is placed under the responsibility of the JSOU President, increasing its holdings and adding electronic research databases.

July 2012

JSOU extends international outreach to the developing NATO Special Operations Training Centre (later NATO Spec Ops School) at Chievres AB, Belgium and assigns an academic liaison.

November 2012

JSOU receives the Learning Spotlight Award for education innovation from the Elliott Masie Center.

October 2013

JSOU re-organizes creating a Center for Continuing Education, a College of Special Operations, the JSOU Enlisted Academy and a Center for Studies and Research.

February 2014

Groundbreaking for the new JSOU Academic Facility on MacDill AFB.

March 2014

The JSOU Enlisted Academy reaches full operational capability by launching the Career Education Program of Joint Fundamentals, SOF Enterprise Management, JSOFSEA and the executive Summit courses.

June 2014

JSOU is designated a Partnership Training and Education Center (PTEC) member to enhance interaction with NATO education institutions.

September 2014

JSOU surpasses the 10,000 student attendance mark.

2015

JSOU celebrates 15 year anniversary.

January 2015

At the direction of General Votel (10th Commander, USSOCOM), JSOU launches its Design Thinking education program.

January 2016

JSOU receives the Allied Command Transformation (NATO) Quality Assurance certification.

February 2016

General Votel signs the second JSOU Charter, designating the President as his senior advisor for SOF joint education and reports directly to the Commander.

April 2017

General Thomas (11th Commander, USSOCOM) dedicates the new JSOU Academic Facility.

September 2018

Congress approves JSOU’s legislative proposal for Title 10 Civilian Hiring Authority in NDAA19.

Special Operations Research Topics 2023

The Network Illusion: How a Network-Centric Special Operations Culture Impedes Strategic Effect

ArcticNEXT: Compound Security Threats in Strategic Competition

Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy

Leadership Foundations for Joint SOF Professionals (Pilot)

JSOUs Design Fundamentals Online