About this event

The Exploring SOF Identity Forum is for ALL levels of special operations professionals, academics and stakeholders in the special operations enterprise. We seek a diverse audience to engage in discourse on topics including:  1) SOF Utility, 2) Ethics, 3) Emergent and Disruptive Technology, and 4) Diversity and Inclusion. These are some of the most important topics for special operations currently, and our goal is to engage a broad audience - senior leaders, leaders, operators, and academics, any of whom may be engaged in strategic, operational and/or tactical level commands - with unique experiences and ideas in order to truly EXPLORE these emerging problem-sets. Discourse among divergent minds is the objective - getting after the right questions, correctly framing the problems, opening minds - not so much solving the problems at this point.

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Compound Security as a Theory of Next: Part 1

Compound Security as a Theory of Next with Dr. Isaiah “Ike” Wilson III (Part 1 of 4) Join Dr. Ike Wilson in an exciting discussion that explores the relationship between compound security and the security needs of the future. This is the first of four installments. The opinions offered in this lecture are those of the presenters only and do not necessarily represent the views of any of the aforementioned organizations or parent institutions. Video footage provided by the JSOU multimedia team, Adobestock.com, iStock.com, shutterstock.com, Dvids.net, The National Archives, University of Texas Archives, and BTU.




Compound Security as a Theory of Next: Part 3


Join Dr. Ike Wilson in an exciting discussion that explores the implications of CSD on Future of SOF Utility. This is the third of four installments. The opinions offered in this lecture are those of the presenters only and do not necessarily represent the views of any of the aforementioned organizations or parent institutions. Video footage provided by the JSOU multimedia team, Adobestock.com, iStock.com, shutterstock.com, Dvidshub.net, The National Archives, University of Texas Archives, and BTU.




Compound Security as a Theory of Next: Part 2

Join Dr. Ike Wilson in an exciting discussion that explores, what is compound security? This is the second of four installments. The opinions offered in this lecture are those of the presenters only and do not necessarily represent the views of any of the aforementioned organizations or parent institutions. Video footage provided by the JSOU multimedia team, Adobestock.com, iStock.com, shutterstock.com, Dvids.net, The National Archives, University of Texas Archives, and BTU.




Dr. Tony Pfaff from Panel 2

JSOU SOF Q4 Forum 2021 - Dr. Tony Pfaff from Panel 2 - Day 1 - 8 September 2021. Panel 2: Ethics, Leadership, and the 3rd Age of SOF presentation by: Dr. Tony Pfaff, U.S. Army War College Opinions in this forum are those of the presenters and may not necessarily be the views of U.S. Government, Department of Defense, United States Special Operations Command, and the Joint Special Operations University.

Keynote Speaker: General David H. Petraeus

Keynote Conversation, Joint Special Operations University Quarterly Forum, March of 2021. This quarter’s forum focused on SOF identity. Forum Keynote Conversion featured Dr. Ike Wilson III, President of Joint Special Operations University and General David H. Petraeus (US Army, Ret.), Partner in the global investment firm KKR and Chairman of the KKR Global Institute.  The opinions offered in this lecture are those of the presenters only and do not necessarily represent the views of any of the aforementioned organizations or parent institutions.


Topic 1 Session 1, SOF Utility in Context of Strategic Competition

JSOU Q3 Forum: Topic 1, Session 1 – In the context of “Strategic Competition,” What is the utility of SOF for American strategic interests and for the DoD?




Topic 1 Session 2, Identity and Strategic Effects in Future Operating Environment

JSOU Quarterly Forum, Topic 1, Session 2: How does SOF's identity promote or prevent strategic effects in the future operating environment? What is distinct and peculiar about SOF and SOF operations? 




Topic 2 Session 1, SOF Ethical Considerations Panel

This panel asks: What makes SOF ethics distinct and peculiar to ethics in other aspects of the DoD and US Government?




Topic 2 Session 2, Re-imagining the SOF Professional Ethic

Part of the JSOU Quarterly Forum Series. This panel features:  Moderator: Dr. Kari Thyne, JSOU  Dr. Kevin Basik, Basik Insight LLC  Dr. John E. Caterson, JSOU Mr. John Labuz, JSOU The opinions offered in this lecture are those of the presenters only and do not necessarily represent the views of any of the aforementioned organizations or parent institutions.



Topic 3 Session 1, SOF Utility and New Technologies

Moderator: Dr. Mark Grzegorzewski, JSOU Panelists:  Mr. Joe Mclaine, GM COL Hise Gibson, USMA  Ms. Leslie Babich, SOFWERX  The opinions offered in this lecture are those of the presenters only and do not necessarily represent the views of any of the aforementioned organizations or parent institutions.



Topic 4 Session 1, Diversity and inclusion in Special Operations

Diversity and Inclusion in Special Operations panel discussion. Moderator: Dr. Karla Mastracchio, JSOU Panelists: Dr. Jason Lyall, Dartmouth Mr. Mike. Clark (R), SF, JSOU Dr. Rachel Yon, USMA The opinions offered in this lecture are those of the presenters only and do not necessarily represent the views of any of the aforementioned organizations or parent institutions.




Topic 4 Session 2, SOF Organizational Culture

Moderator: Dr. Chris Marsh Panelists: CPY Shaye Haver, MDW COL Candace Pipes, USSOCOM Dr. Susan Harmeling, USC/Marshall The opinions offered in this lecture are those of the presenters only and do not necessarily represent the views of any of the aforementioned organizations or parent institutions.




Panel 8 May 2021: Future Force Capability, Capacity, and SOF Core Activities

JSOU Forum Panel May 2021: Future Force Capability, Capacity, and SOF Core Activities Moderator: MCPO Brad Rhinelander, PhD, JSOU. Panelists: Dr. Dave Ellis, JSOU; Dr. Lilian “Doc” Alessa, JSOU; Mr. Charlie Black, JSOU Opinions in this forum are those of the presenters and may not necessarily be the views of U.S. Government, Department of Defense, United States Special Operations Command, and the Joint Special Operations University.