Command announces Joint Forces Reserve Orientation Course
U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM), NATO's Allied Command for Transformation and Joint Forces Staff College have started preparations for the Joint Forces Reserve Orientation Course.
By Susy Dodson
USJFCOM Public Affairs
(NORFOLK, Va. - Feb. 20, 2009) -- U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM), NATO's Allied Command Transformation (ACT) and Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC) have started preparing to co-host the Joint Forces Reserve Orientation Course (JFROC) in Norfolk, Va., June 15 - 26.
The JFROC is for selected reserve, National Guard and senior civilian service and is intended to raise operational and strategic awareness of challenges within the current joint, coalition and interagency environment.
USJFCOM's Navy Lt. Cmdr. Christopher E. Crooker, who is planning the course, said each reserve component and participating organizations select candidates for JFROC.
JFROC organizers send requests to reserve component service chiefs, coalition partners and interagency organizations soliciting their best-qualified candidates, selecting them based on their own set of criteria.
USJFCOM's Joint Capability Development Directorate Vice Director, Air Force Brig. Gen. Richard A. Shook Jr. said the course is, "designed to provide future potential flag and general officers and senior civilians exposure to the joint world that they may not have received earlier in their careers. In the event they are promoted into senior leadership positions they will have already gained an appreciation for joint and coalition operations."
JFROC also provides an opportunity for senior international military and interagency personnel to attend the course.
"We've opened it up so students that come here for this very intensive two-week focus on joint issues get exposure to more than just the military," Shook said. "Furthermore, the opportunity to network with sister services members, coalition mission partners and interagency individuals is a huge bonus to course attendees."
In addition to logistics support, JFSC will facilitate an interactive wargame and ACT will provide content for the NATO portion of the course.
The course includes daily roundtable and one-on-one discussions with senior reserve component flag and general officers, visits to military bases in the Hampton Roads community, and an examination of reserve and active component roles for current operations from the perspective of various civilian and military positions.
The course also examines communication tools for the strategic-level leader, cultural awareness of the different services, and wargaming strategy.
Crooker said, "The course is continuously improved each year," and he attributes the timeliness and relevancy to the instructors and senior mentors.
"What makes this course so special is getting these really amazing, accomplished senior men and women to share their diverse experiences and their vision for the future. The result is a unique and rewarding opportunity that will serve them well in higher leadership positions," said Crooker.
Attendees also may receive joint qualified officer points upon completion of pre-course distributed learning modules. Interested individuals should apply through their service or organization.
|
