2008-2009 Catalog - United States Air Force Academy

MILITARY STRATEGIC STUDIES (MSS)
Offered by the Department of Military Strategic Studies.
MSS 200, Military Theory and Strategy. 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—students analyze relevant theories of warfare, evaluate various
approaches to military strategy, and apply them to contemporary and notional conflicts. Develops military thinkers who can
form creative solutions to complex military problems.
MSS 282. Air, Space, and Information Power Theory. Provides a foundation for military officers to innovate beyond
current doctrinal boundaries through critical analysis of air and space power theories. Identifies, explains, and examines
existing propositions, frameworks, and assumptions of air and space power doctrine and theory. Case studies and seminar
discussions, analyze alternatives to current approaches of air and space power employment and their relationship to
information power. Examines current and notional characteristics of air and space platforms and investigates future
requirements of air and space platforms. Evaluates air and space issues such as the integration and/or separation of air and
space power.
MSS 365. Developing the Military Strategist. Examines how military strategists shape the international environment,
prepare for the future, recognize threats to national security, and develop military responses. Explores military theories of
air, sea, space, information, and land warfare, and the context in which these ideas develop. Analyzes case studies to identify
elements that lead to success or failure. Investigates future national security challenges, and using strategy formulation tools,
develops and practices the skills necessary to methodically and aggressively dominate the battle space by coercing, punishing,
disabling, delaying, containing, decapitating, denying, or destroying an adversary.
MSS 379. Research Methods in Military Strategic Studies. Introduces and explains research methods and their
application to Military Strategic Studies. Provides 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.
Seminar director assigns each student a faculty thesis advisor to provide additional research mentorship. Course concludes
with a final paper that will be developed into a thesis in MSS 498.
MSS 385. Special Operations. 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, it develops critical
thinking skills by requiring analysis, problem-solving, and application of theoretical concepts to real-world situations. It traces
the evolution of SOF capabilities and evaluates the reasons behind successes and failures. Case studies are incorporated for
comparison with contemporary operations and introduction of a common framework.
MSS 400 Joint and Coalition Operations. Course introduces the capabilities of all U.S. military services, with emphasis
on individual service cultures and doctrine. It culminates by synergistically leveraging service-specific capabilities in a joint
war fighting simulation. It also explores integration of Special Operations and Coalition forces in war fighting. Teamwork is
emphasized. War-gaming scenarios and teaching cases, reinforce and validate concepts taught in the classroom.
MSS 410. Advanced Studies in Joint and Coalition Operations. 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, classroom discussions 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 462. Theory of Military Transformation. The U.S. 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.
Students 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.
United States Air Force Academy Catalog 131