To register for JCWS-H, contact your Service Admissions POC. Each POC will have information concerning schedules and the RC-specific nominative process. All contacts, including the RC Service POCs are listed on the JCWS Contacts page.
U.S. Military Prerequisites
U.S. military officers (O-4 and above) must have completed JPME Phase I at an Intermediate/Senior Service School or an approved equivalent. JCWS-H is designed for officers in the grades O-4 to O-6. Historically, our graduates range from Warrant Officers through O-8 during periods where eligibility criteria differed from present requirements.
The following are NOT prerequisites, but are provided to enable you to better understand the program:
- Component: JCWS-H primarily supports the Reserve Component but is open to government civilians and active component officers when nominated by their agency or military service. Active component officers are currently limited to those from the USMC, USAF, and USSF. As of 2016, JCWS-H is a JPME-II credit granting program and qualifies military officers for JQO Level III.
- Grade: JCWS-H is designed for officers in the grades O-4 to O-6; however, there have been graduates as junior as Warrant Officer and as senior as O-8.
- Position: The target for the course is an RC officer serving in or destined to serve in a billet on a Joint Staff or Joint Task Force. The reality is nearly every RC officer could be destined to serve in a Joint billet and some of our graduates have reported they were selected for joint assignments based on completion of JCWS-H.
U.S. Government Civilian Prerequisites
Prospective civilian students must first be nominated by Flag/General/SES Officer in their chain-of-command; include this nomination memo in package along with a one-page student biography or resume, to include education and career history. If the nominee has not completed JPME Phase I, they will need to attend the prerequisite five-day Joint Transition Course (JTC), which is scheduled four times per year. The standard time frame for submitting applications is NLT 90-days prior to class start date. Final admissions authority rests with the JFSC Commandant. Please fax or mail nomination packages to:
- Fax: (757) 443-6026
- Mail: Joint Forces Staff College, Attn: DFAP-Registrar, 7800 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk VA 23511-1702
If additional program information is needed, please contact JFSC's Student Administration and Registrar Office at Commercial (757) 443-6189; DSN 646-6189.
Joint Transition Course (JTC)
Civilian DoD and Interagency students who have not completed JPME Phase I will be scheduled to attend a JTC. However, JTC must be completed prior to the start of F2F1. For JTC scheduling and coordination, please contact the Registrar Office at DSN: 646-6124 or Comm: (757) 443-6124.
Face-to-Face Fact "Sheet" (When meeting in person, not virtually)
The Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC) and the Joint and Combined Warfighting School-Hybrid (JCWS-H) Course offer the following basic, critical information for initial planning purposes for the face-to-face experience. As face-to-face gets closer, JCWS-H instructors will provide more specific and relevant information pertaining to a particular session.
- Students will generally report no later than 0730 to Normandy Hall (JFSC) on the first day of class. Instructors will disseminate the exact time before each F2F event.
- Uniform Requirements: Students and Faculty students are authorized to wear utility uniforms in accordance with your Service policy.
- Students should coordinate with their respective service component POC to make appropriate travel arrangements and secure temporary duty orders. Return flights should not be scheduled prior to 1430 hrs on the last Friday of the face-to-face session.
- For students arriving on Sunday with the intent to enter Naval Support Area Hampton Roads (the location of JFSC), students will need to enter the base at "Gate A" near the intersection of Terminal Blvd and Meredith. See Google Maps directions.
- Driving directions from the Norfolk Airport: After exiting the Norfolk airport, travel on Norview Avenue for just over 1 mile. Merge onto I-64W. Proceed 3 miles and merge (left) onto I-564W. Proceed 1 mile and exit right onto Terminal Blvd. From Terminal Blvd, proceed approx. 1 mile and turn right on to Meredith, heading toward Gate 5. After going through Gate 5, continue to follow the road and make a left on Mitscher, stay on Mitscher past Fleet Forces Command (on your right) and make a left on Ingersol. Proceed to the stop sign and take a right on Corregidor, followed by a left on Eniwetok. The complex on the right is the JFSC campus. Parking is in the rear of the building.
- The local Per Diem rate is $89. Although government messing is not available, government billeting is usually available within 100 yards of JFSC at the Navy Gateway Inns and Suites or at the Navy Lodge. Instructors will provide students with more detailed information concerning lodging within 45 days of a face-to-face.
Absences from F2F Classes
Absences from class activities are not normally authorized. Requests for emergency leave must be submitted through your instructor to the JCWS-H Program Manager. After duty hours, students must contact your instructor and the JFSC Quarter Deck at 757 443-6076 to initiate the emergency leave process.
In-processing for F2F Periods
Report in duty uniform for in-processing at Normandy Hall (JFSC main entrance) at the time provided by your instructor. Enter through the main entrance, opposite the flagpole, and show your military ID to the security personnel.
Travel Orders
The Joint Forces Staff College does NOT fund or generate orders for student attendance. You or your respective Component (RC, AC, or Agency) must make the appropriate travel arrangements and fund attendance at the in-residence (face-to-face) portions of the JCWS-H syllabus. For issues concerning your travel orders and/or funding, coordinate directly with your respective component or organizational POCs. We will collect a copy of your travel orders at in-processing. You will receive more specific travel-specific information from your instructor. Navy Students: Block 5 on your orders must have one of the following locations in order to receive pay for your time here: PERSUPPDET NS NORFOLK; or, PERSUPPDET SEWELLS POINT. A copy of your PAGE 2 is required during in-processing.
Officer Evaluation Reports
All students will receive an officer evaluation report, PIM, or letter documenting course completion covering the 40 weeks of JCWS-H. USAR/ARNG students will receive a DA Form 1059, USAFR/ANG students will receive an AF Form 475. Navy and USMC students will receive a PIM. USCGR, DoD civilians and interagency civilians receive a letter documenting course completion.
Contact Information
For more information about the JCWS-H program please contact the JFSC Registrar at 757-443-6124 or registrar2@ndu.edu
Course Access: Blackboard Login
JCWS-H students utilize Blackboard and Microsoft O365 to access online course materials and to communicate with faculty and colleagues. Blackboard and O365 single sign-on is available at https://myapplications.microsoft.com. Student Blackboard and O365 access will be set up by JFSC upon course enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible? Detailed information on eligibility requirements is listed above.
How do I apply? Individuals must apply via their respective Service. JFSC cannot take direct applications for the program. Information on Service POCs can be found above at JCWS-H Student Application/Service POCS.
What do I get out of this course once I've completed it? Graduates are JPME Phase II qualified pursuant to DODI 1300.19 and considered eligible for Joint Duty Assignments. Joint Duty credit is managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Can the requirement for U.S. Military to complete JPME Phase I be waived? No.
Is there civilian academic credit associated with JCWS-H? Yes. JFSC is part of the National Defense University, which the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools nationally accredits. The JCWS-H program corresponds to up to 9 quarter-hour credits toward a Master's degree. Students are required to coordinate with their colleges and Master’s programs to determine credit hour acceptance.
How much time will it take to complete the coursework? The course typically takes an average of 8 to 10 hours per week.
Are there any writing requirements? Yes. There are formal writing assignments and numerous online assignments.
Must I be online at any specific time? Yes. In addition to the weekly assignments, there are also mandatory synchronous events in the JCWS Hybrid program that require students to meet online at specific times for a live class. These sessions are typically held on Thursday evenings, from 1900-2100 Eastern time. For reference, classes in CY23 had 11 synchronous sessions spread throughout the 40-week course. This may be challenging for some students, resulting in attending the synchronous sessions very early or very late depending on their location. Additionally, students often choose to meet separately with their assigned student groups for the various projects, briefings, and papers completed during the distance learning portion of the course.
Can I accelerate my pace in the course and complete it earlier? No. Classes progress together from Weeks 1 to 40. The Hybrid environment requires timely student interaction to learn from the discussion threads and other interactions. Individual self-study would not support our academic outcomes.
How do I get funding to attend the F2F periods? Individuals must coordinate funding via their respective Service.
Where are the F2F sessions conducted? They are conducted at JFSC in Norfolk, Virginia.
How will I access the JCWS-H courseware? JCWS-H students utilize Blackboard and O365 to access online course materials and to communicate with faculty and colleagues. Blackboard and O365 single sign-on is available at https://myapplications.microsoft.com. Student Blackboard and O365 access will be set up by JFSC upon course enrollment.