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.

Preparing SOF for Compound Security Competition

Recent Publications

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The Fourth Age: The Future of Special Operations
Published on 10/2/2023
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The Compound Era of U.S. Counterterrorism
Authored by:
Don Rassler
Published on 8/10/2023
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Operating on the Margins: SOF in the Gray Zone
Published on 4/15/2023
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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.


Upcoming Courses

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Joint Special Operations Forces Pre-Command Course - Online
Starts in 1 days
USSOCOM Staff Education Program - Foundations
Starts in 7 days
National Resistance Course
Starts in 8 days
Special Operations Forces - Information Advantage and Intelligence Integration (Pilot)
Starts in 8 days
Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Foundations Course
Starts in 14 days
JSOU Faculty and Staff Orientation Course
Starts in 14 days
Enterprise Management Course
Starts in 16 days
JSOU Teaching Fundamentals Course
Starts in 16 days
Theater Special Operations Command Staff Preparation Course-Mobile
Starts in 21 days
Special Operations Religious Support Team Orientation
Starts in 21 days
Logistics Support to Sensitive Activities
Starts in 21 days
SOF Creative Problem Solving Fundamentals
Starts in 21 days

Newest Non-Resident Fellows

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