Overview AFSOF Education - Mission, Vision, Goals AFSOC Professional Development Cycle USAFSOS Capabilities Initiatives, Challenges, Way Ahead 2
USAFSOS Mission & Vision Mission: Deliver responsive and relevant education IOT enable Air Commando excellence in complex and ambiguous operational environments worldwide Vision: To be the elite institution providing air-centric, SOF-focused education to USSOCOM, USAF, and US Government personnel Train for Certainty Educate for Uncertainty! 3
Primary Audience
AFSOC Transformation 5
AFSOC Core Missions Precision Aerospace Fires Specialized Air Mobility Battlefield Air Operations Intelligence, Surveillance, and Recon Aviation Foreign Internal Defense Agile Combat Support Command and Control Specialized Refueling Information Operations Psychological Operations 6
A Decade in Review 7
Secondary Audience Air Mobility Air Refueling Aerial Delivery Precision Fires (CAS/SEAD) Intelligence, Surveillance, and Recon Communications FP and Base Defense Munitions & EOD Combat Support 8
AFSOC Professional Development Senior-level education Enables synthesis/evaluation of solutions to complex problems Tailored Seminars & Events GO Predeployment Course Building Partner Aviation Capacity Course Intermediate-level education Deepens understanding beyond tactical & leadership prep Contemporary Insurgent Warfare Course Regional Courses Mission Commander s Course Introductory-level education Initial baseline education Introduction to Special Operations Course Dynamics of International Terrorism Course Intercultural Competence Course Infused throughout Operational case studies and oral histories Commander and senior leader forums, perspectives Maximum student participation Spiral of Expertise 9
The SOF Educational Requirement Dynamic, persistent nature of SOF global operations requires SOF to execute optimally in irregular, asymmetric environments that involve dynamic political, social, & economic relationships Creation of effective, enduring international partners & USG-wide collaboration Advanced cognitive skills & ability to execute in fluid tactical situations USSOCOM 2012-15 Commander s Training & Education Guidance Develop leaders Demonstrate mastery of SOF activities Enhance language skills Enhance regional expertise Be culturally attuned Be capable of serving as the primary integrator and bridge between both conventional & interagency capabilities 10
USSOCOM Commander s Focus 2011 Mission People Equipment Improve Global Synchronization Stress Operational Context/ Regional understanding Fully Capable/ Scalable SOJTF Internal SOF Jointness SOF Doctrine Encourage Resourceful Spirit Address Pressures on our People and Families Increase SOF Language, Regional Expertise, and Cultural (LREC) Capabilities Increase Tooth-to-Tail ratio Streamline systems/ eliminate redundancies Adapt to Fiscal Constraints Acquisition Agility Theater Engagement Division Cultural & Regional Skills Irregular Warfare Division -- IW & Force Protection Operations Division -- Operations & Employment Language Division -- Initial Acquisition & Maintenance Skills 11
OME Goals Provide the best operational education in the most responsive & entertaining manner possible Building block approach (w.r.t. career OME goals and operational req ts) Synergized with MDS, AFSC, and predeployment req ts Tailored to the individual s needs to max extent Leveraging SMEs and unique enablers Collaboration! Networking! 12
Operational Course Development Guidance Current Implementation Maturation & Way Ahead Collaboration Networking 13
LREC Course Development Guidance Current Implementation Maturation & Way Ahead Collaboration Networking 14
USAFSOS Repertoire SPECIAL OPERATIONS DIVISION Introduction to Special Operations Course (ISOC) Combat Aviation Advisor Mission Qual Phase 1 (CAA) SOF Air Command & Control Course / Seminar (SOFAC2C/S) Mission Commander's Course (MCC) IRREGULAR WARFARE DIVISION Counter Insurgency Warfare Course/ Seminar (CIWC/S) Dynamics of International Terrorism (DIT) Insurgency & Foreign Internal Defense (IFID) Responsible Officer Course (ROC) THEATER ENGAGEMENT DIVISION AFRICOM Theater for SOF (ATSOF) CENTCOM Theater for SOF (CTSOF) EUCOM Theater for SOF (ETSOF) PACOM Theater for SOF (PTSOF) SOUTHCOM Theater for SOF (STSOF) Building Partner Aviation Capacity (BPACC) Interagency for SOF (IASOF) Intercultural Competence for SOF (ICSOF) LANGUAGE DIVISION Initial Skills Instruction Continuation Instruction Pre deployment Instruction AFSOC AFPAK Hands Mutual Support AFSOC MAVNI Mutual Support OTHER & EMERGING PROGRAMS MEEs (formal courses and tailored programs) General Officer Predeployment Instruction MAVNI Operational Support * Expeditionary & BPC * ISR for SOF Course * AFSOC Heritage Series * Support to AFSOC Sq/CC s Course * ARSOAC AvFID Program Support 15
Faculty Credentials Leadership = career SOF aviators Dean = PhD in Ed Technologies & Leadership Military faculty Civilian & contract faculty Language Center AFPAK Hands & MAVNI teams Language & cultural expertise (Arabic, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, French, Pashto, Korean, Indonesian, Hindi, Tamil, Uzbek, Berber, Dari, Polish) 16
Unique Capes AFPAK Hands Regional & Cultural Expertise Language Skills Battlefield Perspective Access to Key Players 17
Unique Capes MAVNIs Cultural & Language Skills for starters Relevance, Strategic Context & Perspective (@ tactical level) Highly Specialized Force Multipliers Not your typical Airman 18
Instructional Methodology Assigned SMES AFSOF Leadership Course Director Guest SMES MAVNI AFPAK 19
Educational Initiatives Enterprise Collaboration Distance Learning BPC Initiatives MAVNI & AFPAK Integration Expanded Repertoire 20
Challenges Core customer availability Staff availability / capacity / capes Operational access Distance Learning integration Resource optimization 21
Way Ahead Support Current Warfighter & HHQ Priorities Focus = info fusion, faculty responsiveness, outstation connectivity Help Shape the Future Force Focus = deliberate OME strategy, ldrship advocacy/participation Focused Education Focus = reqt s-based ops, entertaining, optimize feedback & LL Foster Strategic Partnerships Focus = collaboration, networking, faculty mentoring Maximize Organizational Efficiency Focus = faculty capes, technology, collaboration w/ops Continue to Evolve USAFSOS Focus = DL infusion, course & faculty improvements, BPC ops 22
Questions? Colonel Bob Bruckner USAFSOS Commandant DSN 579 5896 / Comm 850 884 5896 robert.bruckner@hurlburt.af.mil robert.bruckner@afsoc.af.smil.mil 23