Joint Services Command and Staff College (JSCSC) is a British military academic establishment providing training and education to experienced officers of the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence Civil Service, and serving officers of other states.
JSCSC is a component of the Defence Academy and the commandant is a full member of the DA Management Board, reporting to the director of the Defence Academy. The commandant is a two-star appointment (rear admiral, major general or air vice marshal) and can be filled by candidates from each of the three services. Within JSCSC itself, each service is represented by a one-star assistant commandant, each with responsibility for both single service issues and delivery of training. The dean of academic studies leads King's College London's Defence Studies Department, which provides theoretical and conceptual academic education in partnership with the military directing staff.[4]
Courses
As of 2016, the JSCSC provides the following courses, amongst others:
Higher Command and Staff Course: aimed at OF-6 rank (Commodores, Brigadiers & Air Commodores) or OF-5 (Captains RN, Colonels & Group Captains)
Intermediate Command and Staff Course: aimed at OF-3 rank (Lieutenant Commanders, Majors & Squadron Leaders)
Royal Naval Division
Intermediate Command and Staff Course (Maritime): Aimed at Lieutenant Commanders, Lieutenants and civil servants
Elements:
Command, Leadership, Management, Ethos and Ethics
Staff and Communication Skills, including Defence Writing
Strategic Studies: The International Environment and UK Defence Management
Maritime Studies: Strategy, Environment, Capabilities, and the Royal Navy
Joint Studies: Capabilities, Environment, and Joint and Combined Operations[5]
Intermediate Command and Staff Course (Maritime Reserve)[6]
Advanced Amphibious Warfare Course[7]
Army Division
Intermediate Command and Staff Course (Land): Aimed at Army and Royal Marine Majors, and civil servants
Elements:
Staff and Communication Skills
Command Leadership and Management
Global Effects on Defence
Higher Management of Defence and the Army
Equipment and Capability
Land Warfare – including Formation Level Planning and Military Assistance to stabilisation and Development[8]
Intermediate Command and Staff Course (Land Reserve)[9]
RAF Division
Intermediate Command and Staff Course (Air): Aimed at Squadron Leaders and civil servants
Elements
Introduction
Air and space power
Strategic context
Warfighting and planning
Command, Leadership and Management[10]
Badge
The college badge features an anchor, crossed swords and an eagle, representing each of the three Armed Services. Previously, a cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) was used as the symbol of the Joint Service Defence College; Britain's largest seabird flies, swims on the sea surface and catches its fish underwater, yet builds its nest on dry land (either on cliffs or in riverside trees). The alumni association of the college, open to graduates of the Higher Command and Staff Course, the Advanced Command and Staff Course, and staff of the college, is named the Cormorant Club.[11]