Special Operations Forces-Security Cooperation

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SOF Staff and Enabling Support SOF-SC SOC 3210 Open Nomination Only ACCET Accredited Unclassified

Description

Special Operations Forces – Security Cooperation (SOF-SC) is conducted over five days. Students attending SOF-SC will learn about U.S. security cooperation policy, Title 10 Security Cooperation (SC) and Title 22 Security Assistance (SA) authorities, SC programs management, SC organizations at U.S. Embassies, COCOMs and TSOCs and their responsibilities, the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process, finance, logistics, training management, exercises, and security cooperation planning to build partner capacity. Instruction is provided on the complex and interrelated aspects of security assistance and security cooperation. These include the role of the DoS in foreign policy, DoD in National Defense, and Congress in the areas of authorization, appropriation, and oversight. The functions and responsibilities of the COCOMs, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, and the Military Departments are also addressed. Curriculum emphasizes policy, programs, roles, planning considerations, authorities, funding, and procedures involved in the management of security assistance and security cooperation programs/activities within USSOCOM and the DoD. SOF-SC uses the model of First principle thinking as the foundational approach for comprehension. Activities include reading, researching course issued books and other SC related materials, completing homework assignments, and synthesizing information from course resources. Collaborative interaction occurs through seminar discussions facilitated by small group mentors, group-level research, planning, and practical application exercises culminating in the development of an operational level, comprehensive five-year plan utilizing all available SA and SC authorities to help build a partner nation’s SOF capabilities. For both the virtual and resident course iterations, students should plan for full days, nightly homework, and participation in group practical exercises. Registration will open 60 days before the course's start date.

Audience

Personnel selected to attend SOF-SC should be assigned to U.S. government activities against assigned SA/SC billets. This includes contractor support personnel. Although most students in SOF-SC are affiliated with DoD, personnel in similar job positions in other federal agencies may also attend. This course is also available to international partners. Prospective international students not assigned to SOCOM J3I as Exchange Officers must contact the security cooperation training element at the U.S. Embassy in their country to initiate course attendance. Provide the following MASL Number: D179179 to secure a slot to this course. Priority of participation: 1) Newly assigned/hired Joint SOF (USSOCOM/TSOC/JTF) 2) SOF Component AFSOC/MARSOC/USASOC/NAVSPECWAR/. 3) Joint SOF-enabling personnel needing SC. SOF enabling examples include, but are not limited to personnel from organizations like GCCs, SFABs, SATMO, AFSAT, NETSAFA, JCISFA, Interorganizational personnel, etc.

Remarks

Anyone planning to attend the SOF-SC course is required to complete the Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) Course - "Foundations of Security Cooperation" SC-102. This prerequisite is a two-hour online, basic SC course that all students must complete prior to the first day of class. Students must establish a student account with DSCU to register for this course. Instructions are listed in their registration instructions. Follow this link to register for SC-102: https://dscu.edu/course-catalog?bp=4&fa=3&pl=1

Materials

All required texts and materials will be available to the student on either the course e-Campus site or issued upon arrival in the classroom. Each student MUST have after hours – NOT in the classroom – access to commercial internet and the course e-Campus site throughout the course.

Accreditation

JSOU is currently an accredited educational institution accredited through the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET) - a national accrediting agency recognized by the Department of Education.

Schedule
25Z (25-Aug-2025 to 29-Aug-2025)
Location: JSOU Bldg
Comments: Resident Learning: 25-29 Aug 2025
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26A (16-Mar-2026 to 20-Mar-2026)
Location: JSOU Bldg
Comments: Open Enrollment date: 16 Jan 26 Resident Learning: 16-20 Mar 26
Enrollment Closed
26B (17-Aug-2026 to 21-Aug-2026)
Location: JSOU Bldg
Comments: Open Enrollment date: 17 Jun 26 Resident Learning 17-21 Aug 26
Enrollment Closed