Staff College Offers New Joint Course in Tampa

American Forces Press Service

NORFOLK, Va., Nov. 20, 2012 – Officers and civilians will soon have an additional avenue to pursue professional education, thanks to a non-resident satellite Phase II Joint Professional Military Education course that will launch in January in Tampa, Fla.

The satellite JPME II format will be nearly identical to the in-residence program taught at National Defense University's Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Va. JFSC will oversee and conduct the 10-week satellite course, which will be offered up to four times annually.

This is a pilot initiative authorized by Congress to complement the current in-resident program at JFSC. Those eligible are officers in the grades of major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel, and a limited number of civilians in equivalent grades.

The program aims to supplement the current pipeline of students attending JPME II and prove the educational validity of completing JPME II in a non-resident format, according to Dr. Ken Pisel, JFSC non-resident satellite program director. It will not reduce the number of students attending JFSC in residence.
The satellite course will primarily look to fill slots from those assigned to U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command; however, the military services can potentially look elsewhere to fill any vacant slots.

Centcom and Socom will nominate students and services will assign them to the course. Students will be in a local temporary duty status and engage full-time in the curriculum.

With Congressional approval, the long-term goal is to eventually offer this satellite program at other combatant command locations.

For more information about the course and class dates, prospective students can contact Dr. Pisel at 757-443-6229.