JCOC Nominations

Nominees are influential leaders in their professions, organizations and communities, and are nominated by select DOD officials, military departments, and JCOC and MJCOC alumni.

JCOC alumni include CEOs of Fortune 100 companies, nonprofit organizations, presidents of universities and public administrators from metropolitan cities.

Hundreds of individuals are nominated each year to fill 40 slots. Selections are based on qualifications of the nominee and are determined by an inter-service selection panel.

A nomination to the JCOC program is not a guarantee or an entitlement for selection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should be nominated?

Nominees are private-sector American civilians who have limited to no experience with their military. Nominees should demonstrate:

National-level influence with cross-generational, cross-geographical and diverse audiences.

What are the basic eligibility requirements?

U.S. citizens in good health.
Individuals with very little experience or knowledge of the U.S. military.
Individuals with strong national influence who interact and engage with diverse audiences and communities across the country, and whose participation in JCOC may enhance public understanding of the U.S. armed forces and the Department of Defense.
CEOs, senior executives or the equivalent within various areas of expertise, particularly technology, are highly competitive.
Must be able to participate in the entire conference.

Who is NOT eligible for the JCOC program?

Past JCOC and MJCOC participants.
Individuals who are in campaign status for federal, state or local political office.
Individuals working for the U.S. federal government to include active duty, Reserve and National Guard military members.
Anyone who served in the U.S. armed forces since 2000.
Employees of U.S. federal government contractors whose primary area of responsibility is related to the Department of Defense.
Anyone with business ties or serves in an advisory role to senior military officials, military installations or the White House.
Anyone who has been on more than one military civic leader tour, cruise or participated in special opportunities, such as flying with U.S. military aerial demonstration teams, etc.
Individuals who have a strong and established relationship with the military, such as honorary military or honorary base commanders.

What is the responsibility of a nominator?

Nominators must discuss the process with nominees prior to nomination to establish basic eligibility requirements and ensure that, if selected, nominees are available to participate in the entire conference. Nominees must also be informed that their nomination does not mean selection or entitlement to the program.

How are selections made?

Eligible nominations will be reviewed and scored by a panel of senior DOD military and civilian officials who have not been involved in the nomination process. Panelists are representatives of the military departments, the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

How long is a JCOC?

JCOC programs are typically scheduled for six days.

Where are JCOCs held?

The program is held at military installations within the United States. Locations of JCOCs are not disclosed until the day of registration.

How will nominees know if they are selected to participate?

Once selections are approved, each nominator is responsible for notifying selected and non-selected nominees. The JCOC program manager will contact individuals nominated by JCOC alumni.

How is JCOC funded?

From the moment of registration to the end of the conference, the JCOC program is fully funded by DOD. Funding includes transportation costs, lodging and meals. Participants are responsible for funding their own transportation to and from the registration site, which is typically in the Washington, D.C., area.

"I feel beyond privileged to have been given this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet so many incredible people at all levels of experience and service, who all exemplify the uppermost reaches of America’s ingenuity, grit, resilience, abilities and kindness."

Hungry Fan, LLC

Daina Falk

"Silicon Valley and the military have an opportunity to innovate in a way that would serve generations to come."

Glu Mobile, Director, Product Management

Laura Teclemariam