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About JSOU
Enlisted Academy Learn our history The SOF Advantage Campus & facilities ACCET accreditation Tampa Life

Popular Resources
Browse course offerings International Education Student Handbook Replacement Certificate Request Give Feedback Research Library

Upcoming Courses
*Continuous Learning (CL) courses are not shown
SOF Sensitive Activities Foundations
25G (01-Jun-2025 to 30-Jun-2025)
Starts on 6/1/2025
Special Operations Chaplaincy Crisis Care and Counseling
25A (02-Jun-2025 to 06-Jun-2025)
Starts on 6/2/2025
Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Foundations Course
25C (02-Jun-2025 to 13-Jun-2025)
Starts on 6/2/2025
View All



Recent Publications
Special Forces Does Not Have an Identity Crisis, SOF Has a Special Forces Identity Problem: A Response to Colonel Croot
Authored by:
David Shell
Learn More
Special Operations Forces Moral Injury Fact Sheet
Authored by:
John Caterson
Learn More
Understanding Hybrid Warfare: Great Power Competition and Conflict in the New Era
Authored by:
Tony Balasevicius
Learn More

Featured Publications
Special Operations Forces Moral Injury Fact Sheet SEEC and You Will Find: The Need for a SOF Enterprise Education Catalog Reframing Homeland Defense: The Case for Restructuring an Outdated Security Construct Developing a Special Operations Forces Multidimensional Ethics Scale

Quick Links
Press home page Browse all publications Publish with Us

Popular Topics
CT/CN FID Global SOF Network IW/UW Terrorism



JSOU Event Types
Guest Speakers SOCOM Events Education via Social Media
Go to events main page

JSOU's Upcoming Events
Jim Collins - Good to Great Keynote
5/30/2025
What is irregular warfare and what does it mean for SOF?
12/1/2028
Is artificial intelligence really a threat to SOF?
12/1/2028

Events Happening Now
What do we mean by the “gray zone” and how do our competitors operate there?
started 51 days ago, ends on 12/12/2028
View All

Recently Ended
Fireside Chat with Mr. Jason Schenker: Economic Security
ended 60 days ago
Fireside Chat with COL Croot: Increasing Green Beret Lethality, Part 2
ended 74 days ago
Fireside Chat with COL Croot: Increasing Green Beret Lethality, Part 1
ended 86 days ago
View Archive



Newest Non-Resident Fellows View all
There are no Non-Resident Fellows to show right now

Quick Links
Non-Resident Fellows Home View Current Non-Resident Fellows Apply for Non-Resident Fellowship


JSOU
SOF-Hub

About JSOU
Enlisted Academy Learn our history The SOF Advantage Campus & facilities ACCET accreditation Tampa Life

Popular Resources
Browse course offerings International Education Student Handbook Replacement Certificate Request Give Feedback Research Library

Upcoming Courses
*Continuous Learning (CL) courses are not shown
SOF Sensitive Activities Foundations
25G (01-Jun-2025 to 30-Jun-2025)
Starts on 6/1/2025
Special Operations Chaplaincy Crisis Care and Counseling
25A (02-Jun-2025 to 06-Jun-2025)
Starts on 6/2/2025
Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Foundations Course
25C (02-Jun-2025 to 13-Jun-2025)
Starts on 6/2/2025
View All


Recent Publications
Special Forces Does Not Have an Identity Crisis, SOF Has a Special Forces Identity Problem: A Response to Colonel Croot
Authored by:
David Shell
Learn More
Special Operations Forces Moral Injury Fact Sheet
Authored by:
John Caterson
Learn More
Understanding Hybrid Warfare: Great Power Competition and Conflict in the New Era
Authored by:
Tony Balasevicius
Learn More

Featured Publications
Special Operations Forces Moral Injury Fact Sheet SEEC and You Will Find: The Need for a SOF Enterprise Education Catalog Reframing Homeland Defense: The Case for Restructuring an Outdated Security Construct Developing a Special Operations Forces Multidimensional Ethics Scale

Quick Links
Press home page Browse all publications Publish with Us

Popular Topics
CT/CN FID Global SOF Network IW/UW Terrorism


JSOU Event Types
Guest Speakers SOCOM Events Education via Social Media
Go to events main page

JSOU's Upcoming Events
Jim Collins - Good to Great Keynote
5/30/2025
What is irregular warfare and what does it mean for SOF?
12/1/2028
Is artificial intelligence really a threat to SOF?
12/1/2028

Events Happening Now
What do we mean by the “gray zone” and how do our competitors operate there?
started 51 days ago, ends on 12/12/2028
View All

Recently Ended
Fireside Chat with Mr. Jason Schenker: Economic Security
ended 60 days ago
Fireside Chat with COL Croot: Increasing Green Beret Lethality, Part 2
ended 74 days ago
Fireside Chat with COL Croot: Increasing Green Beret Lethality, Part 1
ended 86 days ago
View Archive


Newest Non-Resident Fellows View all
There are no Non-Resident Fellows to show right now

Quick Links
Non-Resident Fellows Home View Current Non-Resident Fellows Apply for Non-Resident Fellowship


Our History

1990


August 1994

General Wayne Downing (3rd Commander, USSOCOM) establishes the Joint Special Operations Forces Institute at Fort Bragg, NC to address education requirements.

June 1998

General Peter Schoomaker (5th Commander, USSOCOM) tasks the Future Concepts Working Group to study SOF joint education and develop solutions if shortfalls exist.

May 1999

Implementation plans begin in earnest for a SOF University (SOFU).

2000


June 2000

Initial Charter for the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) is signed.

September 2000

JSOU is activated at Hurlburt Field, Florida, co-located with the USAF Special aOperations School. Initial focus is on operational level joint curriculum. BG Ken Bergquist, USA, is appointed first JSOU President.

December 2000

JSOU conducts its first International Mobile Education Team (MET) and establishes a long-lasting partnership with the NATO School at Oberammergau, Germany.

September 2001

Terrorists attack the US Homeland. Demand for JSOU courses increases as priorities shift to meet the emerging SOF joint education requirements.

July 2002

BG Paulette Risher is appointed the second JSOU President as General Charles Holland (6th Commander, USSOCOM) officiates.

June 2004

Center for Knowledge and Futures (SOKF) is activated at Hqs, USSOCOM. The JSOU President is dual-hatted as its Director.

September 2004

JSOU hosts the first Counter Terrorism Fellowship Program workshop for ASD (SO/LIC) attended by 65 US and International participants.

October 2004

The Strategic Studies Department is established and publishes the first Annual SOF Research Plan.

2005


April 2005

The JSOU Press is established as research and publication become a mainstream element of JSOU capability.

September 2005

BG Steven Hashem, USA is appointed the third JSOU President as General Doug Brown (7th Commander, USSOCOM) officiates.

October 2005

JSOU provides a MET to the Special Operations Division of the Polish Armed Forces, expanding academic engagement with TSOC-designated International Partners.

May 2006

JSOU’s first Strategic Plan is published following a command-wide Educational Requirements Analysis. This proposed a SOF Leadership Competency Model, validated the strategic studies initiative, increased PME support and fostered multiple delivery methods.

August 2007

Dr. Brian Maher is appointed to the Senior Executive Service and assumes JSOU Presidency as first civilian – Admiral Eric Olson (8th Commander, USSOCOM) officiates.

Admiral Olsen approves the re-location of JSOU to MacDill AFB, temporarily using the leased "Pinewood" facility outside the MacDill AFB main gate.

March 2008

Admiral Olson directs the establishment of the Joint Special Operations Senior Enlisted Academy (JSOFSEA).

January 2008

In response to the 2006 DOD Quadrennial Defense Review, JSOU launches its Irregular Warfare curriculum and expands its Interagency Education program to five courses.

July 2008

A SOF Education Azimuth Study leads to JSOU’s Future Concept, validating the move to Tampa, expanding NCO education and increasing support to Theater SOCs.

December 2009

JSOU receives college-level accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET), a Department of Education recognized national agency.

2010


May 2010

JSOFSEA inaugural class graduation with 32 joint SOF warriors.

Summer 2010

JSOU commences the move to Tampa as renovation begins to convert Pinewood into an academically suitable campus.

Fall 2010

JSOU enhances the SOF Education Network by placing academic liaisons at the Special Operations Component Headquarters and Schools.

April 2011

Admiral Olson and CSM Smith officiate at the dedication ceremony as the Pinewood Campus becomes fully operational.

November 2011

The USSOCOM Library is placed under the responsibility of the JSOU President, increasing its holdings and adding electronic research databases.

July 2012

JSOU extends international outreach to the developing NATO Special Operations Training Centre (later NATO Spec Ops School) at Chievres AB, Belgium and assigns an academic liaison.

November 2012

JSOU receives the Learning Spotlight Award for education innovation from the Elliott Masie Center.

October 2013

JSOU re-organizes creating a Center for Continuing Education, a College of Special Operations, the JSOU Enlisted Academy and a Center for Studies and Research.

February 2014

Groundbreaking for the new JSOU Academic Facility on MacDill AFB.

March 2014

The JSOU Enlisted Academy reaches full operational capability by launching the Career Education Program of Joint Fundamentals, SOF Enterprise Management, JSOFSEA and the executive Summit courses.

June 2014

JSOU is designated a Partnership Training and Education Center (PTEC) member to enhance interaction with NATO education institutions.

September 2014

JSOU surpasses the 10,000 student attendance mark.

2015


JSOU celebrates 15 year anniversary.

January 2015

At the direction of General Votel (10th Commander, USSOCOM), JSOU launches its Design Thinking education program.

January 2016

JSOU receives the Allied Command Transformation (NATO) Quality Assurance certification.

February 2016

General Votel signs the second JSOU Charter, designating the President as his senior advisor for SOF joint education and reports directly to the Commander.

April 2017

General Thomas (11th Commander, USSOCOM) dedicates the new JSOU Academic Facility.

September 2018

Congress approves JSOU’s legislative proposal for Title 10 Civilian Hiring Authority in NDAA19.

2020


JSOU looks to the future.

Joint Special Operations University
5200 Tampa Point Blvd
MacDill Air Force Base, FL 33621
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