Course Iterations

Sub Number Date/Location Registration
SOF-SO-36804-A-2026-27
21 Sep - 29 Oct, 2026 RL: NATO SOF Campus

Course Information

Comprehensive Defence, CHT, Resilience and Resistance Course

 The curriculum addresses CHT and Comprehensive Defence (CD) across the spectrum of competition, crisis and conflict with a dual-module resident course design that allows students to attend the residential education modules after completion of the ADL portion. Students can omit from attending Module 2 if it is not within their professional requirements but can’t take this as a stand-alone Module without having completed ADL & Module 1.  

Pre-Resident Course (ADL) e Learning Introduction to Hybrid threats and Comprehensive Defence fundamentals including aspects of NATO Article 3 and the Comprehensive Approach methodology focusing on the importance of “Whole-of-Society” inclusion. [Online/Self-Paced - Approx 24 hrs study over a 4-week window].

Module 1: Comprehensive Defence – Focus on CHT (week 1) Residential   Countering Hybrid Threats including national preparedness, resilience, and deterrence and developing an outline for a national strategic CHT framework through the peacetime, competition and crisis/conflict phases employing a cross-sector Whole of Government approach with societal involvement. [~5 days in length].

Module 2: Comprehensive Defence  - Focus on Resilience & Resistance (week 2), Resident Planning for Comprehensive Defence with focus on resilience and including responding to malicious attacks and building an Asymmetric Defence Component (resistance capabilities). [~3 days in length].

This dual module strategy consists of course content that is evidence based and will employ lessons and practical exercises focused on Comprehensive Defence plans and examples from different European nations to highlight Comprehensive Defence best practices across the spectrum of conflict.

Duration: Distance Learning:  4 weeks (part time); Residential: 9 days

Course Aim

Offer best practices and practical implementation of methods, strategies and procedures for Whole-of-government and whole-of society approaches to CHT and Comprehensive Defense efforts,  including  enhancing resilience, deterring threats, defending  nations, and if necessary, resisting invading powers. 

Objectives

At the end of the course, the student will be able to identify hybrid threat techniques, approaches, and actors and specify national vulnerabilities to hybrid threats; provide the key elements of a comprehensive defense, including aspects of NATO Article 3; discuss how employing cross- sectoral and whole-of-society approaches is essential to comprehensive defence; and describe comprehensive defence-related organizations in NATO.

Target Audience
  • Planners in mid-level intelligence, security and contingency planning roles for Alliance nations (or select partners) who may be tasked with planning and implementing CHT and comprehensive defense measures
  • Rank level: OF2-OF5, OR9, warrant officers, and civilians (up to deputy ministers)
  • Students with a broad tactical background along with experience above the tactical level or appropriate military education at staff college level or advanced military school
  • Civilian students should have academic and/or work- related experience beyond the entry level in any of the following sectors: diplomatic, non-governmental organization, governmental, information, intelligence, law enforcement, transportation infrastructure, health, cybersecurity, technology, economic, energy, inter-agency , emergency services , military services (in particular SOF), public and private critical infrastructure entities, home guard and reserve forces, or other specialized whole-of-government expertise-an understanding of both NATO  and SOF missions along with the comprehensive and inter-agency methodologies is desirable but not essential        
Requirements

Recommended Language Profile: 3233 rating in English language skills