The U.K. Higher Command and Staff Course is a combined, joint and inter-agency defense and security course delivered at the post graduate level. The course represents the pinnacle of staff training delivered by UK defense and, although most students are UK military, overseas military officers and key partners from other British government departments also attend. Although it is underpinned by the study of the global context and the formulation of strategy, the course is centered around a full spectrum approach to command at the operational level of conflict. HCSC is a post-graduate level course featuring a combination of lectures, staff led discussions, exercises and visits to a range of government departments and military headquarters. It culminates with a ‘staff ride’ which uses the setting of the battlefields of northern France and Belgium to bring together and evaluate the course themes and learning objectives. Attendees learn/develop: an understanding of the Defense contribution to national strategy; to study and demonstrate effective military decision making and operational design in crisis situations; to evaluate the enduring characteristics of high command and leadership in current and future context. 

SLD Program Structure Category
Targeted Course

Target Population(s)
General Officers (O-7), AD
SES/DISES members (Tier 1)

Provider
United Kingdom Joint Services Command and Staff College

Location
Virtual

Length and Frequency
17 weeks (in-residence)
1 session per year (January-April)

Funding
- HAF-funded expenses: Course tuition
- Unit-funded expenses: Travel expenses; funding details will be communicated to attendees by their selecting office

Pre-Coursework and Special Requirements
International personnel are normally drawn from NATO or “5-eyes” partner nations. U.S. personnel must be cleared to at least NATO secret. A broad range of pre-reading material will be sent prior to the start of the course.

*Joint Tracking Talent Management (JTTM) credit eligibility