Center for Security Forces

Center for Security Forces
Name	Center for Security Forces
Formation	2005
Type	Training command
Headquarters	Norfolk, Virginia
Parent organization	United States Navy

Center for Security Forces

The Center for Security Forces is a United States Navy training enterprise focused on force protection, anti-terrorism, and human intelligence tradecraft. It provides instruction and doctrine development supporting fleet readiness, expeditionary operations, and interagency cooperation with entities such as the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, and allied partner militaries. The Center integrates curriculum aligned with policies influenced by events like the September 11 attacks, operations in Iraq War, and counterterrorism efforts after the Global War on Terrorism.

History

The Center for Security Forces was established to consolidate disparate training previously conducted across commands such as Naval Education and Training Command, Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team, and legacy programs tied to the aftermath of the 1998 United States embassy bombings and the 2000 USS Cole bombing. Its creation followed institutional lessons from Operation Enduring Freedom and organizational reforms influenced by the Goldwater-Nichols Act and the restructuring efforts of NATO partners. Over time the Center adapted tactics derived from studies of Battle of Mogadishu (1993), expeditionary doctrine tested during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and counterinsurgency lessons from Helmand Province campaigns. The Center’s lineage intersects with units that supported Operation Desert Storm and later initiatives linked to Joint Special Operations Command and U.S. Southern Command security assistance.

Mission and Role

The Center’s mission encompasses training sailors and joint forces in anti-terrorism, force protection, survival, and counterintelligence aligned with strategic guidance from the Chief of Naval Operations, Secretary of the Navy, and the National Security Council. It produces doctrine that informs operations by commands like U.S. Fleet Forces Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and expeditionary elements associated with II Marine Expeditionary Force and Special Operations Command Europe. The role extends to support for maritime security cooperation with partners including United Kingdom Armed Forces, Canadian Forces, Australian Defence Force, and multinational task forces formed under Combined Maritime Forces.

Organization and Structure

Organizationally the Center is administratively connected to Naval Education and Training Command but operates detachments that coordinate with units such as Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Naval Special Warfare Command, and Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. Its internal directorates mirror functional areas found in commands like U.S. Central Command staff sections and interact with training organizations such as Surface Warfare Officers School Command and Airborne Training Command. Leadership billets may be filled by officers with previous tours in commands like Carrier Strike Group Two, Destroyer Squadron 28, or billets within United States Naval Academy adjunct faculty.

Training Programs and Curriculum

Programs include anti-terrorism officer courses, force protection certification, tactical combat casualty care instruction, and human intelligence collection training drawing methods from Defense Intelligence Agency and United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. Curriculum incorporates scenarios referencing lessons from Libya intervention (2011), Somalia Campaign, and convoy operations like those in Anbar Province. Courses use pedagogical models also found in Air Force Special Operations School, Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Academy, and incorporate standards from International Ship and Port Facility Security Code training. Specialized syllabi prepare personnel for assignments with units such as Fleet Antiterrorism Security Teams, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit, and Mobile Security Squadron.

Facilities and Locations

The Center maintains its headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia with satellite sites and training ranges co-located at installations including Naval Station Mayport, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Naval Base San Diego, and training ranges near Yuma Proving Ground. It leverages facilities used by Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty), and shared classrooms with National Defense University components. Overseas cooperative sites have included exercises at bases like Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia and partner facilities in Spain, Italy, and Japan.

Partnerships and Collaborations

The Center works closely with interagency and allied organizations including Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. European Command, and regional partners such as Southeast Asian Cooperation, African Union defense elements, and bilateral programs with Japan Self-Defense Forces and Republic of Korea Armed Forces. Collaboration extends to academic and nongovernmental institutions like Georgetown University security programs, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory partnerships, and think tanks including Center for Strategic and International Studies and Rand Corporation.

Notable Operations and Impact

Graduates have supported operations ranging from port security missions during Hurricane Katrina relief to counter-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden and counterterrorism deployments in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The Center’s training influenced standards used in multinational exercises such as RIMPAC, Operation Phoenix Express, and NATO Trident Juncture. Its doctrine and graduates contributed to force protection posture for events including presidential support tasks tied to the Presidential Inauguration and multinational maritime security efforts under Combined Task Force 150.

Category:United States Navy training