Department of

Military Strategic Studies

MSS Course Descriptions

MSS 200. Military Theory and Strategy. This course provides the professional cornerstone for the military officer through the exploration of military theories and strategies. Drawing on a wide range of military thought—from the ideas of the classical military thinkers to the propositions of modern theorists—cadets analyze relevant theories of warfare, evaluate various approaches to military strategy, and apply them to contemporary and notional conflicts. This course develops military thinkers who can form creative solutions to complex military problems. Final exam. Prereq: None. Sem hrs: 3 fall or spring. In addition, this course/program is a primary contributor to the development and assessment of the following USAFA outcomes: Skills: Decision Making, Teamwork Knowledge: Heritage and Application of Air, Space, and Cyberspace Power Return to top

MSS 365. Developing the Military Strategist. Examine how military strategists shape the international environment, prepare for the future, recognize threats to national security, and develop military responses. Explore military theories of air, sea, space, information, and land warfare, and the context in which these ideas develop. Analyze case studies to identify elements that lead to success or failure. Investigate future national security challenges, and using strategy formulation tools, develop and practice the skills necessary to methodically and aggressively dominate the battlespace by coercing, punishing, disabling, delaying, containing, decapitating, denying, or destroying an adversary. Prereq: None. Sem hrs: 3 spring. Return to top

MSS 379. Research Methods in Military Strategic Studies. Introduce and explain research methods and their application to Military Strategic Studies. Provide the foundation for a range of qualitative and quantitative research designs, tools, processes and resources to analyze military issues including strategy, theory, doctrine, force structure, and operations. The seminar director will assign each cadet a faculty thesis advisor to provide additional research mentorship. This course will conclude with a final paper that will be developed into a thesis in the MSS 498 Capstone Thesis in Military Strategic Studies course. Prereq: None. Sem hrs: 3 fall. Return to top

MSS 382. Air, Space, and Information Power Theory. Provide a foundation for military officers to innovate beyond current doctrinal boundaries through critical analysis of air and space power theories. Identify, explain, and examine existing propositions, frameworks, and assumptions of air and space power doctrine and theory. Through case studies and seminar discussion, analyze alternatives to current approaches of air and space power employment and their relationship to information power. Examine current and notional characteristics of air and space platforms and investigates future requirements of air and space platforms. Evaluate air and space issues such as the integration and/or separation of air and space power. Final exam. Prereq: None. Sem hrs: 3 fall. Return to top

MSS 385. Special Operations This course is designed to educate future airmen regarding the capabilities, limitations, and potential for employing special operations forces (SOF) at the operational and strategic levels. In addition, the course will develop critical thinking skills by requiring analysis, problemsolving, and the application of theoretical concepts to realworld situations. It traces the evolution of SOF capabilities and evaluates the reasons behind successes and failures. A number of case studies are incorporated for comparison with contemporary operations and introduction of a common framework. Final paper. Prereq: None. Sem hrs: 3 spring. Return to top

MSS 400. Joint and Coalition Operations. This course introduces the capabilities of all U.S. military services, with emphasis on individual service cultures and doctrine. It culminates by synergistically leveraging servicespecific capabilities in a joint war fighting simulation. It also explores integration of Special Operations and Coalition forces in war fighting. Emphasis is placed on teamwork. Through the use of wargaming scenarios and teaching cases, cadets use, reinforce, and validate concepts taught in the classroom. Final exam or final paper. Prereq: MSS 200. Sem hrs: 3 fall or spring. In addition, this course/program is a primary contributor to the development and assessment of the following USAFA outcomes: Skills: Critical Thinking, Decision Making, Teamwork Knowledge: National Security & Full Spectrum of Joint & Coalition Warfare; Civic, Cultural, and International Environments Return to top

MSS 410. Advanced Studies in Joint and Coalition Operations. This course introduces the cultures, organization, doctrines, and capabilities of all U.S. military services. Discussions also include the National Military Strategy, the organization for National Security, the Unified Command structure, and the critical role of Special Operations Forces. Once this foundation is set, class discussions will center on joint U.S. and coalition operations in specific areas of Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW). These areas include, but are not limited to, terrorism, proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), peace operations, humanitarian relief, and stability operations. MSS 410 is a core substitute course for MSS 400. Final paper. Prereq: MSS 200 and department approval. Sem hrs: 3 spring. In addition, this course/program is a primary contributor to the development and assessment of the following USAFA outcomes: Skills: Critical Thinking, Decision Making, Teamwork Knowledge: National Security & Full Spectrum of Joint & Coalition Warfare; Civic, Cultural, and International Environments Return to top

MSS 462. Theory of Military Transformation. The United States Armed Forces are currently in the midst of a process of transformation designed to posture American air, land, and sea forces for the security challenges of the coming decades. Cadets develop and apply critical intellectual inquiry to penetrate the complexities of transformation during peacetime and wartime. Contextual and comparative case studies of American and foreign military innovations will be examined to evaluate the processes of successful—and failed—military innovations and their relationship to service transformation. Final project and final paper. Prereq: None. Sem hrs: 3 fall. Return to top

MSS 463. Military Innovation and Emerging Threats. This course focuses on organizational learning and the various factors that promote or inhibit changes in military technology, doctrine, and organization. By examining cases of successful and unsuccessful peacetime and wartime innovation across the various mediums of warfare, cadets consider applications and implications of organizational learning in a variety of operational settings. Final paper. Prereq: MSS 462 or course director approval. Sem hrs: 3 spring. Return to top

MSS 470. Information and Cyberspace Operations. This course examines Information Operations and Cyberspace capabilities and strategies by means of a thorough study of Influence Operations, Network Warfare Operations, and Electronic Warfare Operations. An analysis will be made of the current and emerging influence of Information Operations on force structure, strategy, and operational capabilities together with an assessment of the crucial role of information dominance across the spectrum of war. Final paper or final project. Prereq: MSS major or departmental approval. Sem hrs: 3 spring. Return to top

MSS 476. Comparative Air Forces. This seminar applies comparative methodology to examine selected air forces and how they organize and employ military air, space, and cyberspace power. Cadets analyze and compare the doctrine, strategy, structure, capabilities, and employment characteristics of selected air and space forces including those of the United States, Great Britain, Russia, China, France, and Israel. Final exam or final research paper. Prereq: None. Sem hrs: 3 fall. Return to top

MSS 485. Space as an Element of National Power. This seminar cultivates a conceptual framework to understand the context, theory, and application of space as an element of national power. Cadets contextually understand the intellectual foundations of space strategy and theory for American and foreign space powers, as well as contemporary and notional future space capabilities of the United states and its global space competitors. Independent research, cadet presentations, and a research paper. Prereq: None. Sem hrs: 3 spring. Return to top

MSS 490. Contemporary Military Challenges: International Threats. Drawing on major contemporary military challenges for context, this course will explore the concepts, principles, and processes involved in formulating military strategy and in developing derivative plans and operations. Depending on the scope and nature of current threats, the strategic regions selected for examination may include the Asian littoral, the Middle East, Central Asia, the Balkans, Latin America, and/or Africa. Final paper. Prereq: None. Sem hrs: 3 spring of odd-numbered years. Return to top

MSS 491. Contemporary Military Challenges: Threats to the Homeland. Drawing on major contemporary military challenges for context, this course will explore the concepts, principles, and processes involved in formulating military strategy and in developing derivative plans and operations. Course focus will include an emphasis on national strategy for homeland security, understanding the threat, and strategic and military force approaches to countering the terrorist threat. Final paper. Prereq: None. Sem hrs: 3 spring of even-numbered years. Return to top

MSS 495. Special Topics. Selected topics related to military doctrine, operations and strategy. Prereq: department permission. Sem hrs: 3 fall or spring Return to top

MSS 498. Capstone Thesis in Military Strategic Studies. This course provides an opportunity for all MSS majors to participate in higher level discussions and learning that combine all aspects of previous MSS coursework. In addition, it offers an opportunity for each MSS major to work closely with their thesis advisor to complete a major paper for publication on the topics included within the genre of Military Strategic Studies. Final Paper. Prereq: MSS 379. Sem hrs: 3 spring Return to top

MSS 499. Independent Study. Individual study and/or research under the direction of a DFMI instructor. No final. Prereq: Department permission. Sem hrs: 3 fall or spring. Return to top

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