This monograph comparatively studies the U.S. Army's Advanced Military Studies Program (AMSP) and the U.S. Air Force's School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS). Though similar in many ways, the schools are unique in origins, purpose, and curriculum. Notable differences include AMSP's emphasis on graduating operational planners who are fluent in operational art, whereas SAASS creates strategists, fluent in the national strategic discourse. Both schools will send their graduates to influential staff positions where they will have direct influence upon senior military leadership decision making. This monograph seeks to better each school by studying the other school's methods. Areas of improvement noted include balancing the study of operations and strategy, balancing the educational element of application in the theory, evidence, and application model, as well as re-examining both the faculty construct and the student-to-faculty ratios. Both schools have and will continue to graduate outstanding officers who provide a "leavening influence" within the U.S. military, but there are also opportunities to sharpen the sword.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)