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.

Sharpening 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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Russia's Syria Policy: From the Soviet Union to the Russian Federation
Authored by:
Arman Mahmoudian, PhD
Published on 8/7/2024
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China and Russia in West Africa: A Tale of Two Powers and Their Quest for Dominance
Authored by:
Christiane Thompson
Published on 6/5/2024
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Unveiling Pervasive Patterns of Violence in West Africa
Authored by:
Christiane Thompson
Published on 6/5/2024
Learn More
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.

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 Certificates

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

Call for Papers

The Academic Year 2025 Call for Special Operations Papers program is looking for submissions that align with topics included in the 2024 Special Operations Research Topics booklet.


Upcoming Courses

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Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Foundations Course
Starts in 6 days
Special Operations Religious Support Team Orientation
Starts in 6 days
Special Operations Intelligence Course
Starts in 13 days
Joint Special Operations Public Affairs Course
Starts in 13 days
USSOCOM Staff Education Program Foundations
Starts in 27 days
SOF Chaplaincy Ethical Leadership Advisement
Starts in 27 days
Joint SOF Logistics Course
Starts in 27 days
Assessing SOF Operations in the Information Environment
Starts in 27 days
National Resistance Course
Starts in 27 days

Newest Non-Resident Fellows

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Upcoming Events