Published July 08, 2008 
 
 GENERAL INFORMATION 
 
 The US Air Force Special Operations School (USAFSOS) is a primary support unit of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), the Air Force component of the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The School is collocated with, and directly supports, USSOCOM's Joint Special Operations University. 
 
 
 
 Activated in April 1967 as the USAF Special Air Warfare School under the Special Air Warfare Center, the School was redesignated USAFSOS in July 1968. The School's initial course was The Special Air Warfare Indoctrination Course designed to prepare Air Force personnel for duty in Southeast Asia. Since then, the curriculum has changed continuously to meet emerging educational needs of special operations warriors as they respond to complex world situations. 
 
 
 
 USAFSOS provides indoctrination to turn skilled Airmen into special operators. The School provides specialized education to meet the unique requirements of AFSOC Airmen, SOF aviators, and joint/interagency partners. USAFSOS builds on the functional training conducted by other agencies like Air Education and Training Command and the USSOCOM training component schools: US Navy Special Operations Command's Special Warfare Center and US Army Special Operations Command's John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. 
 
 
 
 USAFSOS is a "defacto" joint school, due to heavy joint/civilian attendance and joint nature of subjects taught. The joint staff and faculty are comprised of 40 Air Force officer and enlisted personnel, 10 Air Force Reserve Individual Mobilization Augmentees, and Army and Navy special operators, civilians, and contractor personnel. 
 
 
 
 Nineteen commandants have guided USAFSOS in its 40-year history. The present Commandant is Colonel Paul R. Harmon, USAF. Telephone: DSN 579-6620/6222; commercial (850) 884-6620. 
 
 
 
 CURRICULUM 
 
 The USAFSOS curriculum is directed by USSOCOM and meets AFSOC validated educational requirements. USAFSOS follows the USAF Instructional Systems Development model for course design and delivery. 
 
 
 
 Currently, courses are focused in one of four areas: asymmetric warfare education, regional and cultural awareness, SOF professional development, and joint operations. 
 
 
 
 The purpose of asymmetric warfare is to educate SOF personnel on adversarial threats and operational and technological countermeasures available for consideration. Asymmetric warfare courses include crisis response, information operations, psychological warfare, force protection, unconventional warfare, international terrorism, and space operations. 
 
 
 
 The regional and cultural awareness courses are geared to SOF areas of responsibility and trace their roots to the very first course taught at USAFSOS. The purpose of these courses is to orient the SOF warrior to the cultural, historical, political, economic, and security issues of a particular region. 
 
 
 
 Career development and maturation of SOF officer and enlisted personnel is the primary focus of SOF professional development. Courses in professional development include introduction to special operations, staff orientation, professional military education, and command preparation. 
 
 
 
 Joint operations is comprised of six joint special operations courses that educate SOF personnel in the areas of SOF doctrine, SOF air command and control, contemporary insurgency warfare, and civil-military operations. The School also conducts a joint search and rescue course. 
 
 
 
 As USAFSOS expands to meet an increasing demand for the "thinking warrior," the number of off-station courses (both formal courses and courses tailored to unit needs) has increased. The use of distance-learning technologies is growing to expand course availability. Video tele-instruction and web-based courses are becoming increasingly important in reaching USAFSOS' students. 
 
 
 
 ATTENDANCE 
 
 Information on attending USAFOS courses can be found on the USAFSOS website at https://jsoupublic.socom.mil/welcome_commandant.php. Most courses are open on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, due to high demand and the unique nature of some courses, students must justify their attendance and be approved to attend specific courses. 
 
 
 
 Course security classifications range from unclassified to top secret. Students are responsible for ensuring security clearance requirements are met prior to attending courses. 
 
 
 
 Most courses use expert guest speakers to ensure the most timely and relevant information is provided to the students. Over 700 such guest speakers, including former ambassadors, distinguished academicians, and active duty and retired flag-rank officers, support USAFSOS. 
 
 
 
 There are no tuition charges for US personnel attending USAFSOS courses. Travel and per diem costs per student average approximately $850. The owning unit funds student attendance. 
 
 
 
 USAFSOS COURSES 
 
 - Dept of Asymetric Warfare 
 
 Commander's Responsibility Course (Level 3 Pre-Command AT Trng) 
 
 Dynamics of International Terrorism (Level 1 AT Awareness Trng) 
 
 Joint Operational Influence Seminar 
 
 Joint Senior Psychological Operations Course 
 
 Responsible Officers Course (Level 2 AT Officer Trng) 
 
 Space Applications for Special Operations Course 
 
 
 
 -Dept of Regional Affairs 
 
 Asia Pacific Orientation Course 
 
 Cross-Cultural Communications Course 
 
 Civil-Military Strategy for Internal Development 
 
 Latin America Orientation Course 
 
 Middle East Orientation Course 
 
 Russia/Eurasia Orientation Course 
 
 Sub-Saharan Africa Orientation Course 
 
 South/Central Asia Orientation Course 
 
 
 
 -Dept of Special Operations 
 
 Contemporary Insurgent Warfare Course 
 
 Insurgency and Foreign Internal Defense Course 
 
 Introduction to Special Operations Course 
 
 Joint Special Operations Air Component Course 
 
 Joint Special Operations Air Component Commander's Course 
 
 Joint Search and Rescue Coordinator's Course 
 
 Mission Commanders Course 
 
 Special Operations Liaison Element Course 
 
 
 
 Emblem Significance 
 
 The emblem is symbolic of the School and displays the Air Force colors, Air Force yellow and ultramarine blue. The laurel wreath cradling the world symbolizes a globe blessed by a peace with honor. Since the School is vitally concerned with counterinsurgency operations, the so called "Insurgency Belt", running from 35-degrees North to 35-degrees South is represented in red on the blue globe. The lamp and flame are traditional symbols of knowledge. It is this knowledge, provided in accordance with the training mission of the school, that tempers the use of airpower. That airpower is represented by the stylized aircraft facing the right of the emblem. 
 
 
 
 The motto "SCIENTIA VIRTUS PAX" is Latin for "Knowledge is Strength." ||||| HURLBURT FIELD — The former academic dean at the Air Force Special Operations School is appealing his recent dismissal for using prescribed cannabidiol, a non-pyschoactive marijuana derivative, to the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board. 
 
 Henry Cobbs, a 22-year Air Force veteran who retired in 1982 and who holds a doctoral degree in educational technology, has been at the Special Operations School since 2009. Two years ago he was diagnosed with intraductal carcinoma of the prostate, a rare form of prostate cancer, and opted for wide-ranging treatment. 
 
 "I availed myself of everything I could find," Cobbs said. 
 
 One of the things he found through a Montgomery, Alabama, physician was CBD oil, another name for cannabidiol. After being prescribed the oil in October 2017, Cobbs applied the dosage on his tongue. But after reading that using the oil in an electronic cigarette and inhaling the vapor delivered the drug in a higher concentration, he opted for that method. 
 
 Cobbs subsequently told a couple of co-workers — one diagnosed with prostate cancer, and another with indications of the disease — about using CBD oil. And according to a termination letter from Special Operations School commander Lt. Col. Michael Lowe, Cobbs was also seen "vaping" the medication. 
 
 Cobbs' termination became effective the afternoon Aug. 15, but he retired on the morning of that day, a move designed to preserve his retirement benefits. Retirement doesn't jeopardize his appeal, Cobbs said. 
 
 At issue in Cobbs' termination is a 1986 executive order by President Ronald Reagan aimed to make federal workplaces drug-free. The order defines "illegal drugs" to include federal Schedule I drugs, which include CBD oil. But the order also notes "the term 'illegal drugs' does not mean the use of a controlled substance pursuant to a valid prescription or other uses authorized by law." 
 
 Cobbs has contacted with the office of U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz regarding his appeal. 
 
 Retired Air Force Capt. Nate Nelson, director of military affairs in Gaetz's office, said Thursday that federal law, which governs how the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) must handle Cobbs' situation, lists CBD oil as a Schedule I drug, with the exception of a particular type used for epilepsy. 
 
 Nelson said Gaetz's office is working with Cobbs in an advisory capacity, but added that "the military has to uphold the federal stance." 
 
 "We completely understand AFSOC's stance," Nelson said. 
 
 Nelson pointed out that, while they might not necessarily help Cobbs, a couple of pieces of legislation now in Congress could affect similar cases. 
 
 The Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States Act would, among other things, exclude CBD oil from the definition of marijuana. Gaetz is a co-sponsor of the bill. 
 
 Also, Nelson said, House Resolution 6043, which would change how the Controlled Substances Act is applied to marijuana, has been introduced with Gaetz as a co-sponsor. 
 
 Cobbs' most recent examination showed his cancer had been contained. But as his appeal proceeds, Cobbs says he's left with one question. 
 
 "You're going to make me choose between a job and cancer?" he asked. ||||| Veteran Henry Cobbs promises to take his case to the U.S. Supreme Court if needed. 
 
 A Vietnam veteran and career educator at an elite military training school now finds himself resorting to a Reagan-era executive order in hopes of clearing his name. Henry Cobbs’ crime? Vaping a non-psychoactive form of cannabis to treat his prostate cancer. 
 
 Cobbs, 77, was forced out of his job last month as dean of academics for the Air Force Special Operations School (AFSOS) at Hurlburt Field near Fort Walton Beach, a position he had retained since 2009. 
 
 A 22-year military veteran with two master's degrees and a doctorate in administration of higher education, the retired Air Force captain was issued a “Notice of Removal” in May for his “use of cannabidiol (CBD), a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance,” by Lt. Col. Michael S. Lowe, citing a witness who saw Cobbs “smoke your ‘medicine.’” On Aug. 13, Col. Robert A. Masaitis, commander of the 492nd Special Operations Training Group, rejected Cobb’s appeal, informing him: “This action will become a permanent part of your Official Personnel Folder.” 
 
 Hours before his scheduled termination, Cobbs filed for retirement in order to retain his benefits. But he says money isn’t the issue. 
 
 “My life has been sort of a storybook, to tell you the truth. I’ve been blessed,” said Cobbs, who also worked as executive assistant superintendent for computer technology services in the Atlanta public school system, as well as director for management information systems at Alabama State University. “But to end it on a note like this is reprehensible. What I’m trying to do is protect my legacy.” 
 
 Prescribed by a doctor 
 
 Although CBD lacks the tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC component that evokes euphoria, the federal government maintains that CBD has no medicinal value, despite numerous studies to the contrary, and is thus illegal. But Cobbs says he has a 32-year-old federal directive on his side, called the Drug-Free Workplace. “What they’re doing,” he said, “is conveniently cherry-picking their policies.” 
 
 In Executive Order 12564 Sec. 7(c), signed by President Reagan in 1986, the “definitions” section defines “illegal drugs” as controlled substances “included in Schedule I or II.” But it adds, “The term ‘illegal drugs’ does not mean the use of a controlled substance pursuant to a valid prescription or other uses authorized by law.” 
 
 By that standard, says Cobbs, he is guaranteed legal access to CBD, even as a federal employee. Although he says he doesn’t own a medical marijuana card, he submitted in his defense what he describes as a doctor’s prescription for CBD oil. 
 
 Noting Cobbs’ prostate cancer and inflammation, the physician, Dr. Ryan McWhorter of Montgomery, Alabama, indicated in a letter to Masaitis that his office “prescribed CBD oil” for Cobbs, who “purchases this medication from our office only.” 
 
 McWhorter did not respond to the Herald-Tribune’s request for additional information. A public information officer with AFSOC’s 492nd Special Operations Wing said she could not comment on individual personnel matters. 
 
 “The current state of federal law is that medicinal use of marijuana and marijuana derivatives is not legal,” spokeswoman Ciara Travis said. “We will continue to follow the law and expect our employees to do the same. We are committed to providing a drug-free workplace for our employees.” 
 
 Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, says doctors are prohibited from writing prescriptions for marijuana — they can only make recommendations — because a Schedule 1 drug by definition has zero medicinal value. 
 
 The Food and Drug Administration is the arbiter of which products have legitimate medical uses. In June, the FDA ended its longstanding embargo on marijuana by giving its first-ever approval to a CBD product. The solution is called Epidiolex, and is recommended for two rare forms of childhood epilepsy. On Thursday, in an equally unprecedented move, the Drug Enforcement Agency assigned Epidiolex to its lowest-risk Schedule 5 category, alongside the likes of Lomotil, Lyrica and Robitussin. 
 
 But that probably won’t do Cobbs much good, says NORML’s Armentano. 
 
 “I do agree the language of the executive order doesn’t seem to make much sense; it seems to contradict itself,” he said. “I think it’s also interesting that it says at the end ‘does not mean the use of a controlled substance pursuant to a valid prescription or other uses authorized by law.’ I can’t for the life of me imagine what those ‘other uses authorized by law’ could possibly be. 
 
 “I’m not a lawyer, I’m not a judge, but certainly I could see how a layperson would look at that language and think there’s wiggle room here — it’s written as if to imply there is. Unfortunately, the issue here is, it doesn’t appear as if (Cobbs) has a valid prescription. And in most states, even if those states authorize medical marijuana, even the use of CBD, the entity that’s writing the prescription cannot be the entity that’s also filling it. That’s a total no-no.” 
 
 Among the many congressional bills being touted to mitigate marijuana’s erroneously imposed 48-year-old Schedule 1 quarantine, the “Fairness in Federal Drug Testing Under State Laws Act” — introduced in August by U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist — would most benefit Americans like Henry Cobbs. 
 
 As the Herald-Tribune reported last month in its “Warriors Rise Up” project, veteran suicide rates are soaring, claiming more than 75,000 lives from 2005-2015, and many survivors have pleaded in vain for access to medical marijuana. Passage of H.R. 6589 would allow more than 2 million U.S. civil servants and another 1.4 million military personnel to legally use marijuana for pain relief. 
 
 Linguist, intelligence officer 
 
 Cobbs, now paying the price for crossing the Schedule 1 line, enjoyed a distinguished career in the military. Trained as a Chinese Mandarin linguist eavesdropping on enemy chatter in Southeast Asia, he was also an air intelligence officer with the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing in Okinawa, as well an air targets intelligence officer and sensor operations detachment commander in Thailand. 
 
 After leaving the military in 1982, Cobbs pursued an educational track in the civilian sector. One of those jobs was a five-year stint in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he was an information and instructional systems adviser for the Saudi Royal Air Force. 
 
 Nine years ago, Cobbs was hired by AFSOS, which was formed in 1967 in response to unconventional warfare unfolding in Vietnam. “As USAFSOS expands to meet an increasing demand for the ‘thinking warrior,’ the number of off-station courses (both formal courses and courses tailored to unit needs) has increased,” states the school’s website. “The use of distance-learning technologies is growing to expand course availability. Video tele-instruction and web-based courses are becoming increasingly important in reaching USAFSOS’ students.” Supervising the conversion of those courses to digital formatting was Cobbs’ job. 
 
 In 2016, the Kentucky native was diagnosed for prostate cancer. Cobbs was preparing to endure radiation and chemotherapy when a doctor suggested alternative treatment. It involved dietary supplements incorporating citrus ingredients, non-psychoactive mushrooms and CBD. Cobbs’ cancer is now in remission. 
 
 This year, Cobbs, who brought a vape pen to work as part of his continuing daily regimen, tried reassuring a professional colleague who had received a prostate cancer verdict by sharing his own success with CBD therapy. A concerned coworker overheard the conversation and reported Cobbs’ use of marijuana to management. However, at least two other colleagues support Cobb’s position on CBD, but declined to go on record for fear of retaliation. 
 
 The next step for Cobbs is an appeal for a hearing before the Merit Systems Protection Board, which considers grievances lodged by federal employees for unfair termination. If they uphold AFSOS’ punishment, he vows to press his attack on Schedule 1. 
 
 “The simple plain and bottom line is, if the POTUS was unaware (as evidenced by the language in para(graph) C of the EO that you ‘cannot’ have a prescription for Schedule 1 drugs, how reasonable is it to expect me to know?” Cobbs states in an email. “The very presence of the language in the para says someone thought a prescription was possible. Otherwise, why add confusion to the policy? 
 
 “I’ll go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court if I have to,” Cobbs adds. “I was only concerned with getting rid of my cancer, and the CBD worked. So to hell with the law.”
– Henry Cobbs, 77, is a 22-year military veteran who served in Vietnam and retired as an Air Force captain; he has two master's degrees and a doctorate; he's worked extensively in education and and had served as the dean of academics for the Air Force Special Operations School (AFSOS) at Hurlburt Field near Fort Walton Beach, Fla., since 2009. But he was forced out of his job at the elite military training school last month—because he vaped cannabis as part of his treatment for prostate cancer. Cobbs' doctor prescribed cannabidiol (CBD) oil, and Cobbs purchased it from his doctor's office. CBD oil does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis. In May, Cobbs received a "Notice of Removal" citing his use of a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance; it said that a witness saw Cobbs "smoke your 'medicine.'" He appealed, but the appeal was rejected in August, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports. Now Cobbs, whose cancer is in remission, says he will take the fight all the way to the Supreme Court if he has to. "You’re going to make me choose between a job and cancer?" he tells the Northwest Florida Daily News. Despite studies showing CBD has medicinal value, the federal government says it does not, and is therefore illegal. But President Reagan signed the Drug-Free Workplace executive order in 1986, and it states that "the term 'illegal drugs' does not mean the use of a controlled substance pursuant to a valid prescription or other uses authorized by law." But Cobbs does not have a medical marijuana card, and experts question whether doctors can legally prescribe something defined as a Schedule 1 drug. As for the Air Force, a public information officer would only say, "The current state of Federal law is that medicinal use of marijuana and marijuana derivatives is not legal. We will continue to follow the law and expect our employees to do the same. We are committed to providing a drug-free workplace for our employees."