Maritime Staff Operators Course
The Maritime Staff Operators Course (MSOC) provides resident education in the application of the Maritime Operations Center (MOC) concept, organization and processes; maritime operational level of warfare concepts, terminology and processes; and the Navy Planning Process (NPP) in order to produce graduates capable of immediately supporting the commander’s decision cycle at the operational level of warfare in a dynamic and complex environment.

General Information
Eligibility
The course is for E7s through O5s, enroute to a MOC or operational-level maritime staff. U.S. Government civilians are also eligible (GS11-GS14). All students require a U.S. Secret clearance to attend.Location & Duration
MSOC is a five-week course held at U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, Rhode Island.Learning Format
The course is conducted in a seminar format and culminates with practical planning and execution application using a complex, fictitious case study, and a Battle Lab experience.Outcome
Officer students (O1-O5) receive an Additional Qualification Designation (JOM) upon completing the course and enlisted personnel (E7+) receive a Navy Enlisted Classification (831A) certificate. MSOC graduates receive partial credit for College of Distance Education’s (CDE), Naval Command & Staff (NC&S) Online Program. Please see Student Information section below for full details and CDE link.Program Structure
Line of Effort I
Strategy, Operational Art, and Operational Functions
RequiredLine of Effort II
Maritime Command and Control
RequiredLine of Effort III
Planning and Preparation
RequiredLine of Effort IV
Execution
RequiredIncoming Students
More Information
MSOC Graduates of the in-residence course (grandfathered back to July 2012) will receive credit for Block 5 of the College of Distance Education's (CDE) Naval Command & Staff (NC&S) Online Program. Once successful completion of CDE's NC&S Blocks 1, 2, 3, and 4 occurs, the student will earn Joint Professional Military Education Phase I. Those who received a MSOC AQD attending the temporary online MOLS offering are not eligible for this credit.
MSOC Student Information
While you’re attending NWC, you’ll have time to take a break from coursework to explore Newport and the New England region, from seaports and mansions to festivals and downtown entertainment. We offer support services to all of our students and access to a writing center. Our library is open 24/7.