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

View all
Publication image
Special Operations Research Topics 2023
Published on 9/13/2022
Learn More
Publication image
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
Learn More
Publication image
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


Tampa Weather


    Today's Courses

    Combined/Joint Force Special Operations Component Commanders Course
    23A (06-Feb-2023 to 10-Feb-2023)
    Enterprise Management Course
    Class #41 (09-Jan-2023 to 08-Mar-2023)
    Joint Fundamentals Course
    Class #43 (09-Jan-2023 to 08-Mar-2023)
    Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy
    Class #51 (03-Jan-2023 to 25-Aug-2023)
    JSOUs Design Fundamentals Online
    23B (09-Jan-2023 to 17-Feb-2023)
    SOF Creative Problem Solving – Fundamentals Online
    23B (09-Jan-2023 to 17-Feb-2023)
    SOF Design and Innovation Basic Course
    23B (06-Feb-2023 to 10-Feb-2023)
    Special Operations Forces Interagency Collaboration Course - Virtual
    23B (06-Feb-2023 to 10-Feb-2023)
    Topics in Intelligence (Pilot)
    23A (30-Jan-2023 to 10-Feb-2023)
    USSOCOM Staff Education Program - Foundations
    23B (06-Feb-2023 to 10-Feb-2023)

    Upcoming Courses

    Special Operations Forces- Influence and Operations in the Information Environment (Pilot)
    Starts in 7 days
    Summit
    Starts in 14 days
    Summit
    Starts in 14 days
    Theater Special Operations Command Staff Preparation Course-Mobile
    Starts in 14 days
    SOF Resource Management Course
    Starts in 21 days
    Joint Special Operations Forces Pre-Command Course
    Starts in 28 days
    Historical Survey of SOF Support to Resistance and Resilience Across the 4 Ages of SOF (Pilot)
    Starts in 28 days
    SOF Creative Problem Solving- Tools and Techniques
    Starts in 28 days
    National Resistance Course
    Starts in 28 days
    View all upcoming