June 10, 2025 —
About
Joint professional military education prepares military officers to work effectively across different branches. Through rigorous study, participants gain an in-depth understanding of joint operations, equipping them to lead in complex, multi-service environments. Officers will be trained in the Operational Level of Warfare qualified to serve on DoD Joint Staffs at the O9 level. Coast Guard competencies are available.
JPME-1 programs are available at no-cost to the member and directly support the professional development of service members and the overall development of our service.
JPME-II is available to officers through existing Joint Forces Staff College programs. Applicants should follow established CG Advanced Education application protocols.
Once completed, the JPME_1 & JPME_II competency codes are available for entry into members' permanent records.
JPME-1
Fleet Seminar Program
The Fleet Seminar Program (FSP) delivers a seminar-based curriculum taught by adjunct and on-campus faculty members to students annually at Naval bases and stations across the United States. Students earn Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I credit and a U.S. Naval War College (NWC) diploma upon successful completion of the core courses.
Core Courses are primarily taught in seminar format but include research, writing, and class discussion from each student.
Eligibility
Active and reserve officers in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard must be in the grade of O3 and above.
Active and reserve officers in other military services must be in the grade of O4 and above. In addition, civilian applicants (GS11 and above, or equivalent) are eligible for enrollment.
All applicants applying for this program must possess a Baccalaureate Degree.
Location & Duration
FSP is taught annually at Naval bases and stations across the United States.
Classes meet one evening per week for three hours, from the first week in September to the third week in May, 34 times per year.
Outcome
Students that complete FSP are awarded JPME Phase I credit and an NWC diploma.
Naval Command and Staff Program
The Naval Command and Staff (NC&S) online program educates students on the fundamentals of U.S. national security policy, military strategy, and the relationship between them.
The program is organized into five educational modules and all modules must be completed to earn Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I credit.
Courses are primarily taught using online discussion boards, group projects, individual essays, and other assignments.
Eligibility
Active and reserve officers in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard must be in the grade of O3 and above.
Active and reserve officers in other military services must be in the grade of O4 and above. In addition, defense-related civilian applicants (GS11 and above) are eligible for enrollment.
All applicants applying for this program must possess a Baccalaureate Degree.
Location & Duration
Classes are taught using Blackboard, the Learning Management System, and students can take these classes anywhere using a compatible computer or mobile device.
The duration of this program typically lasts 40 weeks.
Outcome
Students that complete the Online Program are awarded JPME Phase I credit.
USMC Command and Staff College Distance Education Program
The Command and Staff College Distance Education Program (CSCDEP) provides graduate level education and training to develop critical thinkers, innovative problem solvers, and ethical leaders who will serve as commanders and staff officers in service, joint, interagency, and multinational organizations confronting complex and uncertain security environments.
CSCDEP (8900) is an eight-course ILS (Intermediate Level School) JPME I program designed to be completed over two academic years.
Courses are designed to be taken sequentially as each course builds on the knowledge gained in preceding courses
Eligibility
Sister service Majors/Lieutenant Commanders (O4’s)
Location & Duration
Four types of seminar schedules are offered: weekday, weekend, online, and the blended seminar program. Online portions of seminars are done via Moodle.
To enroll in an online seminar, submit a request through MarineNet for course code 8900ZZ0000. Make sure your information is correct and click "Start" at the bottom to submit your enrollment request. The status of your request will be displayed under the notifications tab on the MarineNet home page.
Outcome
Students that complete the Online Program are awarded JPME Phase I credit.
Air Command and Staff College (IDE) Distance Learning Program
The Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) distance learning intermediate developmental education (IDE) curriculum is designed to produce a more effective field-grade officer serving in operational-level command or staff positions.
The ACSC distance learning program emphasizes the application of air and space power in joint campaign planning and the operational art of war.
Students explore national security issues, strategy and war theory, airpower and space power history and theory, expeditionary Air Force employment concepts, and the capabilities and limitations of air forces and space forces, and its sister services contributions to joint force commanders.
The program’s student-centered approach for learning is focused on measuring a student’s ability to think critically, analyze, and apply knowledge, often to real-world situations.
During the facilitated online seminars, students have the opportunity to engage with peers and instructors and discuss and debate the ideas presented in the curriculum and develop overall mastery of the course and higher-order thinking.
Eligibility
The program is offered to O-4 selects and above. Applicants may be active duty USAF/USSF, Air Force Reserves (AFRES), or Air National Guard (ANG); sister service active duty, Guard or Reserve or Civil Air Patrol.
Location & Duration
All curriculum is web based and accessed through an online learning management system.
In addition to readings, the program includes a variety of computer-based interactive learning activities and exercises and leverages social media tools to enable peer-to-peer interaction and learning.
Self-paced study is enhanced by a national security paper and three multiweek, collaborative, online-facilitated seminars.
Outcome
All ACSC distance learning graduates receive Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) phase I credit.
Phase I emphasizes the fundamentals needed for a sound basis in joint operations and provides a foundation for follow-on study for Phase II education.
Students interested in earning a Master’s degree, in addition to ACSC and JPME Phase I credit, should visit the Online Master’s Program (OLMP) curriculum page.
Competency Codes
JPME_1 (JPME Intermediate Phase 1)
Joint professional military education consists of the rigorous and thorough instruction and examination of officers of the armed forces in an environment designed to promote a theoretical and practical in-depth understanding of joint matters and of the subject matter covered. Officers will be trained in the Operational Level of Warfare qualified to serve on DoD Joint Staffs at the O9 level.
Recipient must submit Department of Defense completion certificate stating the requirements for JPME Phase I certification have been met. The subject matter to be covered by joint professional military education shall include at least the following:
- National Military Strategy
- Joint planning at all levels of war
- Joint doctrine
- Joint command and control
- Joint force and joint requirements development
JPME_ADV (JPME Advanced Intermediate)
Advanced JPME programs are for O-4s and O-5s who have excelled in resident or non-resident JPME-I courses. These programs were established by DOD to develop officers with the problem solving and critical thinking skills to address DOD's most complex challenges.
Coast Guard officers who attend Advanced JPME effectively integrate into DOD planning at the operational and strategic levels. These academic programs are extremely selective, competitive, and unique to any other civilian or military course.
Recipient must submit DOD completion certificate stating the requirements for Advanced Intermediate JPME certification and associated master’s degree have been met. Pre-requisite- JPME Intermediate (Phase-I).
Additional Resources
Recommended list of introductory education courses for those who do not qualify for the JPME training