Syllabus

Classroom Seminars

Classroom presentations by distinguished guest lecturers examine topics such as: U.S. strategic interests; threats to U.S. national security; the intelligence community and its capability to monitor the threat; the formulation of national security policy; strategic/operation planning; command responsibility; military and Congress; joint/combined operations; defense structure, issue, and organization; foreign policy; and military strategy at various levels. Topics include:

CJCS Overview
National Strategy
Information Warfare
National Security Strategy Formulation
State Department and American Foreign Defense 
Emerging National Security Issues
Defense Acquisition
Joint Operations
Intelligence Integration
Total Force Policy
Defense Resourcing

Local Area Field Studies

The objective of the local area studies is to provide Fellows with a better understanding of principal national security agencies in the Washington area. Emphasis is placed on meeting with the Service chiefs, agency heads and Joint Staff directors. Local area studies are spread throughout the course. Visits include:

Central Intelligence Agency
HQ, U.S. Coast Guard
Dept of the Air Force
HQ, U.S. Marine Corps
Dept of the Army
Joint Staff
Dept of the Navy
National Security Council
Department of State

CONUS Field Studies

The objective of the CONUS field studies is to ensure Fellows increase their understanding of the Unified Commands headquartered in the U.S.  Discussions with Combatant Commanders are included in this portion of the course. CONUS travel is via military air. Seven days of the course are devoted to CONUS field studies (not including the Joint Operations Module).

Unified Commands includes visits to:

U.S. Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, VA
U.S. Southern Command in Miami, FL
U.S. Special Operations Command and U.S. Central Command at MacDill AFB, FL
Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, NC
U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt AFB, NE
U.S. Space Command at Peterson AFB, CO
U.S. Transportation Command at Scott AFB, IL

Joint Operations Module

Joint Operations Module (JOM) is a four-day course of instruction conducted at U.S. Joint Forces Command's Joint War fighting Center (JWFC) Suffolk, VA.  Its purpose is to enhance the Fellows comprehension of and appreciation for joint doctrine and the Joint Operational Art through a program of instruction that uses the life cycle of a Joint Task Force (forming, planning, deployment, employment, transition, and redeployment) as the training vehicle. The learning strategy is built around seminars and small group interactive practical exercises that emphasize critical Joint Force Commander issues and lessons learned.  Senior Mentors, observer/trainers, and various subject matter experts will support the Fellows in their efforts.

Overseas Field Studies

Overseas field studies offer Fellows the opportunity to explore theater/regional security concerns, U.S. allied/friendly nation capabilities and how forces are trained and prepared for war. Executive sessions with national-level U.S. and foreign military leaders, U.S. ambassadors and their country teams, foreign government officials and field commanders provide a first-hand opportunity to discuss the day's current issues. The class divides into three groups for travel to Europe, the Pacific, Southwest Asia and the Western Hemisphere. (Trip assignments are made by respective Service general/flag officer management offices.)