Elective Course Details - Classes JCWS 08-2

Course Listing

The following is a list of courses offered.
Courses may change based on enrollment.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

5801 US Southern Command and the Latin American Region
Prerequisites:  Present or next assignment to USSOUTHCOM; others as space is available.  International Officers are welcome, however at least one class may be classified "SECRET/NOFORN".
Description:  The course focuses on U.S. regional strategy for Latin America and discusses the political, military, and socio-economic aspects of the region that stretches from the Rio Grande to Patagonia, including the Caribbean Sea.  The objective of the course is to gain an appreciation for the region and understand U.S. strategic policies and operational programs in Latin America. Subjects include (but are not limited to) USSOUTHCOM theater strategy; Information Operations in USSOUTHCOM; the influence of Indian, Iberian, African and Asian heritage on Latin America; the Latino vs. "Gringo" viewpoint; Regional and country overviews: The Andean Ridge, the Andean Trade Preference Act and the U.S. supported Andean Initiative; The Southern Cone and MERCOSUR; Central America; The Caribbean; Migration, the Cartels, Bi-lateral trade and U.S. Security Interests; Insurgency, Drug Trafficking, and the US Policy Quandary; Civil-Military Relations in Latin America; The links between the concepts of National Security and Economic Development; National Security, Poverty Alleviation and Free Trade Initiatives;  Cuba and projections for US policy toward the island; the Panama Canal and US-Panamanian relations.  The course is presented through a combination of faculty lectures (some guest speakers), guided discussions, readings, and student presentations.  Video teleconference is used when guest speakers are unavailable to travel to JFSC.  Each student is required to complete the assigned readings, participate in seminar discussions, and present a country briefing on a selected country within one of the four SOUTHCOM regions.

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5802 USCENTCOM Regional Studies #
Prerequisites: U.S. SECRET Clearance required. Present or next assignment to USCENTCOM; others with interest in USCENTCOM as space is available. Description: This course will provide the student a greater understanding of the U.S. Central Command. Topics include an analysis of the strategic guidance effecting the area of responsibility (AOR), a review of the command’s dynamic history, the current theater strategy through a unique mission brief, Senate testimony on the CCDR’s vision, mission and objectives, the divisive role of the culture, religion and ideology within the AOR, and an enlightening discussion on the ongoing operations and missions in the AOR. Method of instruction include readings from such authors as Thomas Freidman, Bernard Lewis, and Thomas Barnett; guided discussion through presentations and guest speakers; and last but not least, students will have the opportunity to work with, and even produce, actual USCENTCOM planning products. The class has been vetted by CCJ5 and will provide substantial background for anyone who will be planning, supporting, and/or executing operations in the USCENTCOM AOR.

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5803 USPACOM Regional Security Studies
Prerequisites: Present or next assignment to USPACOM; others as space is available.
Description: Both the National Security Strategy and the QDR indicate considerably heightened U.S. concern about security in the Asia-Pacific. Old and new rivalries co-exist uneasily in a security context lacking in effective multilateral security frameworks and characterized by the reemergence of several rising military powers. The potential for armed interstate conflict exists along the entire arc of the Pacific region from Northeast Asia to South Asia. Internally, several countries in the region (including close friends and allies of the United States) confront serious challenges from terrorist groups linked to al-Qaeda. The goal of the elective is to enhance understanding of this turbulent security environment and to examine USPACOM's role in contributing to regional security and American policy goals. Main topics include: Combatant Commander, Pacific Forces and U.S. security policy in the region; U.S. national strategy in the Pacific; the security interests, conflicts, and interplay of major powers in Asia (the United States, China, Japan, India, and Russia); newly emerging powers (Korea, Taiwan, and the Southeast Asian states comprising ASEAN); regional rivalries, conflicts, and flashpoints including the Taiwan Straits, the Korean Peninsula, South Asia, and the South China Sea/Spratly Islands and terrorist challenges in PACOM (Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and many other areas). Critical revisions to key U.S. bilateral security relationships will also be examined. The course is presented through a combination of faculty lectures and guided discussions.

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5804 USNORTHCOM #
Prerequisites: U.S. SECRET Clearance Required. Present or next assignment to USNORTHCOM; others as space is available.
Description:  This Elective is designed to prepare the student for assignment to the USNORTHCOM staff by providing a comprehensive awareness of: the changing strategic landscape, USNORTHCOM's emergence and growth as a Combatant Command within that environment, and the challenges faced by the command as it executes its mission.  Course content ranges from the strategic (emerging national and department level policy and strategy) to the operational-tactical (subordinate command mission execution), drawing heavily on current military briefings and documents, as well as civilian analytical writings.  As a whole, the course provides a more complete contextual framework for the student assigned to USNORTHCOM.  For students not assigned to USNORTHCOM, it provides an overall understanding of the USNORTHCOM mission, organization, and operating environment.  Main subject groupings include:  Homeland Security ---The Strategic Landscape; Overview of National and DoD Strategy, Policy, Plans and Doctrine; Command and Control Relationships in Homeland Defense and Civil Support Operations; View From the Combatant Command Level; View From the Subordinate Command Level --- JTF-CS and JTF-6; Plans Roundtable---Issues in Homeland Defense; and Case Studies in Homeland Security and Consequence Management.  The course is presented through a combination of faculty lectures (some guest speakers), guided discussions, and practical exercises.  Video teleconference is used when guest speakers are unavailable to travel to JFSC.

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5805 USSOCOM Joint Special Operations in the 21^st Century #
Prerequisites:  U.S. SECRET Clearance Required.  SOF career field/MOS, current or next assignment in a SOF unit, USSOCOM or Theater Special Operations command; others as required
Description:  This elective course provides a sound introduction to the employment and integration of the nation’s special operations at the operational level of war. Recent operations have demonstrated the capabilities and potential for US special operations forces (SOF) in both a supported and a supporting role, particularly as it applies to USSOCOM’s DoD lead role in the Global War On Terrorism (GWOT). The elective will also provide an overview of the composition, organization, capabilities, and limitations of SOF. The 8-lesson block of instruction will also prepare students to successfully represent special operations capabilities and integration during the wargame.

The elective is designed for both SOF and non-SOF officers being assigned as staff officers to USSOCOM or one of the Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs). Students will require a Secret security clearance. One of the key themes is the integration of SOF in the GWOT with conventional forces, the input and perspectives of students with background in the conventional sea, air, land, and amphibious forces will significantly contribute to the overall learning experience.

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5806 USTRANSCOM Defense Transportation System
Prerequisites:  Present or next assignment to USTRANSCOM, one of its component commands (AMC, SDDC or MSC) or have a desire to better understand the Defense Transportation System (DTS) and the Distribution process - its workings, nuances and players.  Primarily recommended for officers assigned to J-3, 4, or 5, of a unified command supported by USTRANSCOM; however, this course provides valuable insight for all others interested in the process.
Description:  This course provides insight into the Distribution processes, (movement of forces and equipment) from CONUS into the area of operations and addresses questions associated with why the system does and at times doesn't operate effectively.  All essential components of the process are addressed through a series of offsite visits and briefings by those involved in mobilization and sustainment operations.  The course also provides an in-depth look at USTRANSCOM's role, responsibilities, and requirements in deliberate and crisis planning and customer coordination requirements necessary for responsive and efficient transportation support.

Scheduled visits/offsites include, Va Port Authority, NAVAIR terminal Norfolk, SDDC Ops Ctr, and MARAD ops & vessel tour.  Students are encouraged to address their questions and concerns throughout the course in order to ensure process nuances are fully understood as well as allowing possible unknown system issues & problem areas to be uncovered, highlighted and addressed for correction by the appropriate authority.  As a means to provide a Big Picture perspective representatives from USTC J-5 provide a macro overview presentation of USTC operations, addressing current Global Ops, challenges to the command, ongoing actions being addressed as the Distribution Process Owner, status of the Joint Deployment Distribution Operation Center concept, and the Way Ahead. 

End results:  Students depart with an improved working knowledge of the USTRANSCOM staff and component operations and organizations as well as how the Defense Transportation System (DTS) is structured to support other unified commanders and customers of the DTS.  The course is presented through a combination of faculty instructor lectures / discussions, guest speakers, readings, and off site field trips.

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5807 USSTRATCOM: Expanding Global Missions #
Prerequisites: Present or next assignment to USSTRATCOM; others as space is available. U.S. SECRET clearance required (not available to international officers). Students enroute to or with less than six months assigned to STRATCOM are required to attend this elective.
Description: This course gives students an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the command's functional area of responsibility, organization, and analyze issues affecting USSTRATCOM's ability to conduct: full-spectrum global strike, space, information operations, integrated missile defense, global ISR and other emerging USSTRATCOM missions as dictated by the Unified Command Plan. The course is presented through a combination of VTCs with STRATCOM, guest speakers and guided discussion. Students will prepare a paper (approximately 5 pages) pertaining to STRATCOM and make a 10 minute presentation in class.

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5808 USJFCOM #
Prerequisites:  Present or next assignment to USJFCOM; others as space is available. U.S. SECRET clearance required (not available to international officers).
Description: This course provides students an opportunity to study USJFCOM and its mission to lead the transformation of joint forces through joint concept development and experimentation, identifying joint requirements, advancing interoperability, conducting joint training, and providing globally based, ready conventional forces and capabilities - all to support the Combatant Commands.  USJFCOM's organization, functions, policies, and procedures serve as the backdrop for critical analysis and discussion of the issues facing the command.  The course focuses on the overall command mission and highlights transformational concepts and initiatives.  Informal lectures and field trips are the primary educational media.

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5809 USEUCOM Regional Studies
Prerequisites:  Present or next assignment to USEUCOM; others as space is available.
Description:  This course acquaints students with regional political, military, economic and socio-cultural realities in the US European Command's Area of Responsibility/Area of Interest (AOR/AOI), which reaches from Norway to South Africa, and from the Atlantic to the Urals.  The course addresses significant challenges, factors, trends, and major policy issues affecting US European Command. It provides a regional context for the student and thus assists the student in developing a situational awareness and understanding of issues relating specifically to US European Command.  The course is presented through a combination of faculty lectures, guided discussions, readings, and student presentations.  A video teleconference is conducted with the USEUCOM staff to examine key planning, programming, and operational issues from the perspective of the Combatant Commander's staff.  Each student is required to complete the assigned readings, participate in seminar discussions, and prepare a team written/oral presentation on a topic of the student's choice. 

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5810 Command and Control of U.S. Forces:  The Heart of the Art
Prerequisites:  No International Officers
Description:  Command and control of joint military forces is arguably the most important function undertaken by a joint force commander.  This course focuses on that "most important" function by examining organization and command relationship issues in the command and control (C2) of U.S. military operations.  Students examine fundamental principles and processes of Joint C2 and the historical underpinnings of the National Military Command Structure.  Using joint military operation case studies, the seminar discusses the organization of forces for joint operations in the past and explores the organization options of joint forces for future operations.  This course is a seminar in the fullest sense of the word: a small class for advanced, in-depth discussion and exchange of information.  Interest in C2 and a willingness to actively participate in seminar deliberations are the only prerequisites. Students are required to analyze a selected joint operation and present an informal briefing of their findings to the seminar.

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5811 Low Intensity Conflict: Insurgency and Counterinsurgency Warfare: Theory, Case Studies and Applications
Prerequisites:  None.
Description:   This course is designed to provide the student with a broad understanding of insurgency warfare.  It examines both insurgency and counterinsurgency theory prior to the presentation of case studies.  The following are the case studies on insurgency warfare that will be presented:  Malaya, Kenya, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Rhodesia.  The course also provides an examination of the changing nature of low-intensity conflict, from insurgency to terrorism to conflicts of the future. In specific, the course will relate lessons learned from past counterinsurgency efforts to the current war with al-Qaeda. It offers the student lessons learned from past conflicts and attempts to prescribe which ones are applicable for current and future low-intensity conflicts.

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5812 Islam and Islamic Radicalism
Prerequisites: No International Officers
Description:  This course examines the history and practice of Islam and the rise of Islamic radicalism.  The primary areas of focus will be the foundations and practice of Islam, and the historical, cultural and political variables that give rise to Islamic militancy.  The main topics include: the basic tenets of Islam; the context in which it was founded; the life of the Prophet Mohammed; Islam's early development; the practice of Islam in various countries; the foundations and principles of terrorism; the roots of Islamic militancy, and a broad overview of various Islamic radical groups and their philosophies.    The course is presented through a combination of faculty lectures, guest speakers, videos, and readings. The class is in a graduate seminar discussion format.

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5813 NATO, The Combined Command and Issues
Prerequisites:  None.
Description:  This is an overview of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), its organization, structure, roles and missions, sources of change and conflict, political-military alignments, and on-going operations. The course initially focuses on the alliance’s international security environment and institutional framework. Then, it examines NATO’s security architecture on the political and military level, its strategic concept, integrated command structure, and current issues. It provides the student the opportunity to develop a situational awareness and a greater understanding of NATO's complexity. The seminar format features faculty-led discussions, VTCs, field research trips, and guest speaker presentations.

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5815 THE LONG WAR: A Strategic Overview of Homeland Security, Transformation and the War Against Terrorism
Prerequisites:  None.
Description:  This course examines the strategic features of what appears to be a "Long War" between liberal democracy and militant Islam played out on a global scale. Given this premise, this course examines the strategic and historical overview of US Homeland Security, Defense Transformation and Joint Operations in the war against terrorism instigated by the surprise terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 against the U.S. Homeland. By necessity of the subjects to be discussed, the tone of the course will be contemporary, drawing heavily on current literature. Certainly much of the extant literature written before "9-11" remains relevant and has been selectively included for consideration. Still, our traditional-and strategic-understanding of "homeland defense" is undergoing profound reassessment not only because of "9-11" but also from an emerging nature of warfare that the information age has made possible (like asymmetric threats) and that the stresses of Globalization is making problematic (like transnational terrorism). Thus a key objective of the course will be to assess from a strategic view the evolving state of homeland security, Defense transformation and the war against terrorism relative to the larger context of Globalization in the information age. Accordingly, there is a threefold approach to the course. The first section concentrates on examining the impact that the changed security environment is having on traditional notions of "homeland defense" and the evolving role of U.S. joint forces in that environment. Impacts on Civil-Military relations and interagency cooperation at the Federal, State and Local levels of government will be considered. The second section will examine the on-going efforts for Defense transformation. Considerations over organizational and cultural obstacles preventing Defense transformation of joint forces (vice Service transformation agendas) will be examined as well as alternative solutions that point to the way ahead. The last section will shift in focus to the contemporary dialogue on the war against terrorism, including considerations on the larger issues of culture, religion and the future role of U.S. joint forces in a Globalized world.

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5817 Joint Command, Control, Communications, Computers *
Prerequisites:  Course is conducted at the SCI level and requires a special background investigation with TS/SI/TK eligibility within the last 5 years (not available to international officers).
Description:  This course provides students with an understanding of joint C4 concepts, organizations, and processes at the operational level of warfare (COCOM/JTF). Instruction is focused on: NetOps (Network Management, Information Dissemination Management, Info Assurance), Satellite Communications, Interoperability, Multi-National Information Sharing, and C4 planning. Course material is presented through faculty lectures, guest speakers, guided discussions and case studies. Students benefiting most from this focus study include those action officers involved in C4 planning and/or operators that require an understanding of C4 planning and associated coordination issues. Guest speakers include leaders from DISA, JTF-GNO, COCOM J6 and JTF staffs, JCSE, and Joint Staff J6.

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

• Comprehend the nature of the DoD Global Information Grid environment, doctrine/evolving concepts, and DoD Info Assurance and Info Management strategies/applications
• Comprehend joint C4 issues associated with C4 organizations, SATCOM planning, frequency spectrum/deconfliction, interoperability, and joint/multi-national information sharing
• Comprehend joint C4 planning principles and considerations for JTF J6 employment supporting future operations

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5819 Just War -- Just Peace
Prerequisites:  None
Description:   Have the rules of war changed? How does Western theory of Just War compare to radical Islamic Jihad and Chinese rationale for waging war? Ethics inform national strategy and war planning and some rules --such as legitimacy and just cause-- never change. But how has the GWOT changed our strategy and sense of fair play? What rules govern Jihad and how does radical Islam justify its strategy and tactics? Following the six-phase war construct, this course examines the “Just War Tradition” provides the opportunity for students to analyze the

• Case for waging war (jus ad bellum) from Western, Middle Eastern and far Eastern perspectives, including preemption and insurgency; phases 1 and 2
• Conduct of war (jus in bello) and issues of proportionality and discrimination; phase 3
• Aftermath of war (jus post bellum): termination, stabilization, justice, reconciliation and the casualties of war (effect of war on civilians and on warriors); phases 4, 5 and 6.

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5820 Joint Intelligence, Surveillance, & Reconnaissance   *
Prerequisites:  U.S. TS/SCI required (not available to international officers).  Student must have sent clearance data via SSO channels prior to arrival at JFSC.
Description:  This TS/SCI-level course provides students with a general overview of the intelligence agencies, processes and systems that focus and provide support to the joint war fighter. Emphasis is placed on intelligence functions and various agencies within the National Intelligence Community. Five of the eight lessons are presentations by guest speakers (subject matter experts) with one offsite session to a local Intelligence Center. Those benefiting most from this course include J-2 and J-3 action officers involved in ISR planning and/or operations that do not have an ISR background.

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5821 Joint Logistics
Prerequisites:  None.
Description:  This elective is for students interested in expanding their knowledge of joint logistics at the strategic and operational levels of war may find this course very helpful in preparing them for duties within logistics staffs (J4) within combatant commands and Defense/NATO agencies as well as those non logistics officers who desire additional knowledge about joint logistics. This elective is primarily geared towards officers who have a service logistics background as well as officers from other functional backgrounds who are slated to work on or with joint or combined logistics staffs. Officers who are slated for duty with combatant command J4 staffs or corresponding DOD/NATO logistics staffs can waive the school requirement to attend a CoCoM elective and may attend this elective instead.

The focus provides students with a basic understanding of the increasing challenges and future issues faced by joint/component logistics planners at the Combatant Commander and JTF levels in joint, combined and inter-agency environments.  The focus throughout the course will be on the J4 logistics roles and responsibilities as well as those strategic theater and operational level logistics issues in support of the commander's concept of operations, with emphasis on joint and multinational operations. It will also provide students with a basic understanding of the logistics planning process in support of the Joint Planning and Execution Process (JOPES) both in deliberate and crisis action planning situations. It will parallel to some degree the CONPLAN development process students will encounter in JCWS serving in a national role as joint/component logistics planners at the Combatant Commander and JTF level using the current JFSC scenarios to assist them in the planning process. The elective is not designed to teach students specific logistics skills such as building a TPFDD, or other related technical aspects of the field but rather acquaint them the strategic and operational logistics issues facing a CoCoM J4. The study begins with a broad overview of joint and "focused" logistics followed by studies and discussion throughout the course on service logistics capabilities, the responsibilities of logistics staffs in a joint environment, joint logistics planning overview, TRANSCOM (DPO)/DLA roles and responsibilities, multinational logistics, medical/ CE functions, ACSA, JRSOI, DDOC concept, JLOTS, supply, maintenance, and transportation issues, the role of the logistics planner within a SJFHQ, Contractors on the Battlefield, CFAST/JFAST, and a historical logistics case study discussion. The latter half of the course will also focus on the detailed logistics planning considerations in support of the commander's concept of operations, with emphasis on joint and multinational operations.   Student requirement will be to research and present a group based graduate level briefing on a current logistics issue (e.g. OIF/OEF) or based on historical examples that have relevance to the current joint/combined environment..  One off-site is planned to visit SDDC Operations with the TRANSCOM elective.. This course will be presented through a combination of faculty lectures, guest speakers, off-sites, readings and guided discussions. 

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5823 Interagency and International Operations
Prerequisites: None
Description: Executing our National Security Strategy requires effective use of all elements of national power. Our effectiveness will increase as we become more “joint” in Interagency and multi-national planning and operations. The goal of this focus study is to use guest speakers from various governmental (and non-governmental) organizations to learn how military capabilities can be leveraged and enhanced by coordination with other elements of power to achieve USG goals in operations with significant interagency and/or international involvement. Looking for best practices and lessons learned, the topics studied may include interagency efforts involved in the GWOT, international law enforcement, coordination efforts with private security firms in international operations, Department of Transportation efforts in reconstruction of Iraq, Department of State Transformational Diplomacy concepts, coalition support for elections and stability in Afghanistan and Iraq, and interagency responses to crisis response operations in Haiti. Case study discussions will be led by JCWS faculty and guest speakers with personal experience working in the operations studied. Students will evaluate and present their assessment of key lessons learned and best practices from one of the case studies discussed in class. Students will be assigned by two to three-person groups to present a class briefing during the first portion of the following week’s class regarding the lecture received the week prior.

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5824 Campaigning at the Operational Level of War
Prerequisites:  None
Description:  Military Campaigns of the 20th Century will focus on the analysis of successful and unsuccessful military campaigns to draw out lessons in operational warfighting.  The intent is to apply these lessons of war to current and future warfighting situations at the operational level.  More than a study of military history, this lesson serves as a vehicle to examine specific campaigns to draw out enduring lessons in warfare and to analyze these lessons to apply them in today's joint warfighting environment.  The purpose of this course is to give students an improved understanding of key issues of campaigning and joint operations and to hone the analytical and creative mental skills that make the prosecution of operational campaigns more an art than a science.

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5825 Introduction to Information Operations (IO) #
Prerequisites:  U.S. Secret Clearance Required
Description:  This course provides students with an understanding of joint Information Operations (IO) doctrine, capabilities and integration of IO into operational plans. Instruction is focused on: the Information Environment; IO as a DOD component of USG strategic communications; IO core, supporting and related capabilities; developing IO effects; IO synchronization, targeting and feedback; and IO practical application. Course material is presented through faculty lectures, guest speakers, guided discussions and small group IO planning using the Exercise Purple Warrior scenario. Students benefiting most from this focus study include those who are assigned to joint level planning positions and officers associated with the IO core capabilities of Electronic Warfare, Psychological Operations, Military Deception, Operational Security or Computer Network Operations. Students in this elective will serve as the Information Operations staff officer for their JPME-II seminar.

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

• Comprehend the nature of the global information environment and USG / DOD shaping activities
• Comprehend IO core, supported and related capabilities
• Apply the IO Planning Process (as an integrated component of the Joint Planning Process)
• Integrate IO effects within the Purple Warrior scenario using knowledge of mission analysis, COA development, IO strategy to task, wargaming, targeting, synchronization and MOE assessment.

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5826 Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) #
Prerequisites:  U.S. Secret Clearance Required
Description: The focus of this elective is to develop an understanding of how WMD have been used in the past and the most likely possibilities for future use. Students will develop an appreciation of the three pillars of our national strategy to Combat WMD and be able to integrate and synchronize the military element of national power with other governmental and international agencies to fully incorporate the tools of nonproliferation, counterproliferation, and consequence management. Using a top down approach the student will examine the National Strategies for Combating WMD, develop an understanding of the technical aspects of each type weapon and the toxic industrial material that could produce similar effects, and discuss in depth the operational aspects of planning for and executing Combating WMD operations. Students will act as a RED planning team to develop a plan for attacking various US and or allied targets and then develop plans to counter those attacks in the role of a BLUE planner. The paradigm of offensive operations to prevent preclude an attack, active defense to intercept the delivery vehicle, passive defense to allow us to absorb and mitigate an attack, and consequence management to restore lost capability and minimize the effects will be used throughout. This elective is designed for the novice with little or no experience in this area.

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