Popular Resources
Upcoming Courses
*Continuous Learning (CL) courses are not shownSpecial Operations Chaplaincy Crisis Care and Counseling
Introduction to Special Operations Acquisition Course
Joint SOF Logistics Course
Recent Publications
Operating on the Margins: SOF in the Gray Zone
Back to the future: Designing the role of NATO Special Operations Forces in the 21st Century (Atlantica article)
Moral Injury: Implications for U.S. SOF and Ethical Resiliency
JSOU's Upcoming Events
Lunchtime Talk with Dr. Perlman: French Intelligence & US Foreign Policy
POTFF Orientation Course - June 2023
Popular Resources
Upcoming Courses
*Continuous Learning (CL) courses are not shownSpecial Operations Chaplaincy Crisis Care and Counseling
Introduction to Special Operations Acquisition Course
Joint SOF Logistics Course
Recent Publications
Operating on the Margins: SOF in the Gray Zone
Back to the future: Designing the role of NATO Special Operations Forces in the 21st Century (Atlantica article)
Moral Injury: Implications for U.S. SOF and Ethical Resiliency
JSOU's Upcoming Events
Lunchtime Talk with Dr. Perlman: French Intelligence & US Foreign Policy
POTFF Orientation Course - June 2023
Special Operations Planning Course
Description
The Special Operations Planning Course (SOPC) instructs students on operational-level, Special Operations Forces (SOF)-centric, operational design and planning. Each day students will be challenged to exercise critical thinking and problem-solving skills during multiple different learning activities. These activities include readings, analysis of prepared PowerPoint and other materials, completing homework assignments, and synthesizing information from online resources such as audio and video files. Collaborative interaction occurs through seminar discussions with a small group mentor, group-level practical application exercises, and briefings and presentations. Students will gain an understanding of the relationship between Joint doctrine, SOF operational approaches, national and Theater strategy, and operational-level planning. SOPC prepares students to participate in Joint Planning Groups within a Theater Special Operations Command (TSOC), special operations component, special operations command, or Joint Force Headquarters. For both the virtual and resident course iterations, students should plan for full days, nightly & weekend homework, and participation in group practical exercises. SOPC is Joint-certified annually by the Joint Staff J7, and officers completing the course earn 1.5 credits toward Joint Officer Qualification (JQO) status. Registration will open 60 days before the course’s start date.
Audience
Special operations military officers (O3-O5), warrant officers (W1-W4), senior noncommissioned officers (E7-E9), and government civilians (GS11 and up) as well as non-SOF military and civilians who are preparing for, are en route to, or are serving in a joint special operations assignment (TSOC, JTF, JSOTF, GCC SOF billet USSOCOM, or component HQ) that may involve joint staff planning.
Materials
The instructor of record will email students any required text or materials. Students must have access to a commercial computer, internet access, and must have Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, and Excel).