READY TO SUBMIT? CLICK HERE. 

Deadline for submissions is February 23, 2026. 



  • As the university transforms in function and form in support of USSOCOM priorities, it is reintroducing the focus on short, impactful papers that promote discourse and spark idea generation across the SOF enterprise. These concise pieces help capture emerging concepts, highlight operational challenges, and identify opportunities for applied research—creating a vital link between education and operations. This effort aligns with JSOU’s transformation into a more command-aligned university that leverages “360-degree” thought leadership to drive innovation and influence SOF.


    REQUIRED TOPICS


    Topics were selected from the 2026 Special Operations Research Topics (SORT) booklet, which was developed with input from across the SOF enterprise. This year, JSOU revisited the SORT focus areas and selected a broad theme of technology in SOF, which offers a forward-looking lens that can inform future exercises, SOF AT&L requirements, SOF week discussions, fiction submissions, and more.

    Other than the fiction category, all submissions must align with one of the following SOF technology-related topics:

  • 1. Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in Targeting

    2. Next-Generation Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance/Tactically Relevant for Advanced Situational Awareness
    3. Space-Cyber-SOF-STRATCOM Nexus: How to Build Capabilities Greater than the Sum of Its Individual Parts
    4. Ethical, Legal, and Operational Challenges of AI-Driven Warfare and Autonomous Systems
    5. NEXUS/Triad Strategic-Level Synthesis
    6. Harnessing Data for Irregular Warfare
    7. Digital Force Protections: Threats and Risks to SOF
    8. Rapid All-Domain Fusion for SOF
    9. SOF Use of Non-Government Hackers in Support of Strategic Objectives
    10. Optimizing Drone Use and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems Strategies

    For more detail about the topics, including specific questions/prompts, please review the AY2026 Call for Special Operations Papers Memorandum, Appendix A. 


    CATEGORIES


    To ensure divergent and convergent perspectives from throughout the SOF enterprise, submissions will be divided into the following categories: 


    CATEGORY 1: Professional military education (PME) students and military practitioners:

    Students enrolled in PME programs and currently serving military professionals.


    CATEGORY 2: International allies and partners.

    Contributors from allied and partner nations engaged in special operations or related fields.


    CATEGORY 3: Academic faculty and civilian scholars.

    University faculty, independent scholars, and civilian experts in national security, strategy, and related disciplines.


    CATEGORY 4: Fiction. Open to all.

    Works that explore future conflict, SOF roles, or strategic challenges through narrative and storytelling.

    Note: While the topic for this category may align with one of the 10 topics, it is not required as long as the story maintains a clear connection to technology and SOF.   


  • SUBMISSION GUIDELINES


  • LENGTH: Papers must not exceed 5,000 words, excluding notes and references. 

    CLASSIFICATION: All submissions must be unclassified. 

    STYLE: Submissions should be properly cited using Chicago Manual of Style, 18th Edition guidance with endnotes (no footnotes please) and follow JSOU Press Manuscript text preparation guidance. See Sample Paper or the winning submissions from the AY2025 Call for Special Operations Papers, posted below. 

    DEADLINE: The online submission form and Microsoft Word document (emailed to callforpapers@jsou.edu) must be received by FEBRUARY 23, 2026. Late submissions are not accepted. 


  • For more information about submission requirements, please review the AY2026 JSOU Call for Special Operations Papers Memorandum, Appendix B.


  • RECOGNITION


    All submissions will be sent to panel of subject matter experts from JSOU, the USSOCOM enterprise, and universities for review and evaluation. The winner from each category will be recognized by both the JSOU President and the USSOCOM Commander in April 2026. 


    Winning and other high-scoring submissions will be published by the JSOU Press in Q4 2026. See below for the AY2025 winning submissions. 



  • Ready to submit?  Click here to fill out the submission form. 

    Deadline is February 23, 2026.


  • For more information, email CALLFORPAPERS@JSOU.EDU.



AY2025 JSOU CALL FOR SPECIAL OPERATIONS PAPERS

WINNING SUBMISSIONS


Category I (JSOFSEA students) Sgt. 1st Class Michael Seitz, SOCCENT, Developing a Special Operations Forces Multidimensional Ethics Scale

Category II (active-duty military and professional military education students): Major Harrison Zabell, SOCSOUTH, Reframing Homeland Defense: The Case for Restructuring an Outdated Security Construct

Category III (academics and civilian scholars): Jeff E. Edwards, JSOU, SEEC and You Will Find: The Need for a SOF Enterprise Education Catalog