Senior Exercise Planner; Camp Smith

Senior Exercise Planner Position Summary

The Exercise Planner serves as an operational and strategic resource on the Headquarters staff, supporting the conceptualization, planning, execution, and assessment of joint and service-level exercises. This critical role provides subject matter expertise on DoD Joint Exercise Planning processes and ensures exercises are designed and executed to sharpen force readiness, coalition interoperability, and alignment with Marine Air‑Ground Task Force (MAGTF) and joint command objectives.

The Planner leverages deep understanding of military doctrine, tactics, and command relationships, supporting Higher HQ and subordinate commands as they address complex operational challenges in multi‑domain environments.

Active Secret clearance required; TS/SCI preferred.

• Lead development, coordination, and execution of realistic, high‑fidelity joint and service‑level exercises that test operational concepts, contingency plans, and war fighting readiness.
• Apply expertise in joint and Marine Corps doctrine to integrate MAGTF and combined/joint force elements throughout exercise design, execution, and assessment.
• Manage all phases of the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC): requirements analysis, concept and scenario development, event design, scripting, execution, after‑action assessment, and lessons learned integration.
• Develop complex, realistic exercise scenarios incorporating multi‑domain operations, cyber, logistics, and coalition/interagency play.
• Gather and analyze data throughout the exercise (including observer/controller reports and participant feedback) to produce actionable recommendations and after‑action reports that inform future planning and drive operational improvement.
• Serve as a key interface between Higher and subordinate HQs, other service components, and external partners—including allied and coalition forces—to ensure exercise alignment and interoperability.
• Ensure all exercises reflect current U.S. military policy, established doctrine, command guidance, and current operational priorities.
• Prepare and deliver briefings for leadership, distilling complex exercise objectives, outcomes, and recommendations in clear, actionable formats.

• Bachelor's degree in national security, military studies, operations research, or closely related field.
• 5 years' experience supporting joint or service-level exercises within Marine higher headquarters, with hands‑on involvement in planning, execution, and after-action review.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) and DoD/Service-level exercise regulations and processes.
• Familiarity with Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) structure, roles, command relationships, and operational doctrine.
• Experience developing and managing complex exercise scenarios and delivering post-exercise analysis/lessons learned integration.
• Proficiency with standard DoD planning tools, Microsoft Office suite, and classified/secure communications systems.

• 5‑8 years supporting joint, combined, or service-level exercises at a Marine higher headquarters (e.g., MARFORPAC, MEF, Division, or equivalent command).
• Direct involvement with multi-component, international, or combined exercises—a strong plus.
• Master's degree in strategic studies, defense analysis, or related field.
• Completion of Joint Professional Military Education (JPME I/II), Command and Staff College, or Marine Corps equivalent.
• Success in roles requiring coordination with interagency, coalition, or partner-nation military forces.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with experience delivering executive-level briefings and producing high-impact reports.
• Formal certification in Joint Exercise Planning or related DoD training highly valued.

• Travel will be required to support this task (up to 25% travel).
• Regular physical activity to include walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, reaching, lifting (up to 30 pounds), and standing; occasional prolonged sitting.
• Ability to speak, read, hear and write, with or…