Members of the Omani Joint Command and Staff College (JCSC) have spent two days at the Defence Academy as part of bilateral engagement outlined in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed earlier this year in Muscat.
Alongside its National Defence College, and Centre for Strategic Defence Studies, the Joint Command and Staff College is one of the three main constituent organisations of Oman’s Academy of Strategic and Defence Studies (ASDS).
The visit allowed the delegation to learn more about the delivery of professional military education (PME) aligned to the UK’s Advanced Command and Staff Course (ACSC).
After overview introductions of the Defence Academy and the Joint Services Command and Staff College, discussion moved on to the delivery of ACSC, with topics including:
- course evolution and construct
- course delivery (blended learning)
- assessments
- exercises
- use of simulation
- Training of directing staff
- focus on the operational level of warfare
- use of, and links into, doctrine and concepts
- King’s College London linkages and qualifications/academic accreditation
Further engagement with the Defence Academy’s Defence College for Military Capability Integration covered:
- overview of technical PME
- focus on wargaming and simulation
During the visit, the delegation also met with Omanis currently at the Defence Academy, including one member of Directing Staff, and three ACSC course members.
Oman and the United Kingdom share a relationship that dates to 1750. The signing of the MOU on 8 May 2024, was an opportunity to update existing, and identify, new areas of co-operation between the Defence Academy and the Omani ASDS.
ASDS was established in May 2022, with JCSC delivering to 150 course members each year. Between 20 and 30 of these are from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations and other overseas countries.