Joint SOF Trainer (Operations and Planning)

Detroit Defense Inc.; Hurlburt Field (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Benefits

401k with Match

Paid Holidays

PTO

Job summary

Detroit Defense/Athenix Special Missions seeks a motivated Joint SOF Trainer for Operations and Planning to support our customer at Hurlburt Field, FL. The role focuses on executing large-scale exercises to boost SOF readiness and deployment readiness.

Responsibilities include designing training using ADDIE, coordinating OPFOR/SITFOR support, and partnering with USSOCOM and Joint Staff to ensure alignment with SOF doctrine and planning standards. This is a full-time six-month exempt assignment.

Qualifications

• Active TS-SCI clearance is required.
• Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years in SOF environments.
• Minimum 4 years in a command/senior staff SOF role and 5+ years in Joint Training/Planning.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute large-scale SOF training exercises to enhance readiness and deployment.
• Develop training materials using ADDIE and deliver in-person and online sessions.
• Coordinate OPFOR/SITFOR, range, and support for JNTC/JELC events.
• Collaborate with USSOCOM, GCCs, TSOCs, and Joint Staff to align with SOF doctrine and planning objectives.

Skills

SOF planning experience

TS-SCI clearance

Presentation skills

Operational planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree

8+ years SOF experience

Job description

Description

Elevate your career with Detroit Defense/Athenix Special Missions. Join a dynamic team dedicated to national security through cutting-edge technology. Detroit Defense/Athenix Special Missions has a long history of supporting the Department of War (DOW) in all areas including Engineering, Training, Combat Vehicle Integration, Digital Transformation, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and Software Development. Your journey to impactful work and rapid growth starts now—Behind the Mission Beyond the Challenge!

Detroit defense/Athenix Special Missions seeks a motivated, career and customer-oriented Joint SOF Trainer for Operations and & Planning to support our customer at Hurlburt Field, FL.

This Joint SOF Trainer will have the responsibility to execute large-scale training exercises designed to enhance readiness and prepare SOF units for deployment. At SOF Component Commands, the contractor provides SMEs to facilitate planning and execution of SOF core activities and SOF-CF I3, augment/replicate critical staff planning positions, and provide SOF exercise planning and execution products throughout the JELC IAW SOF, Joint, Service, GCC training objectives. This position supports the AFSOC EMERALD WARRIOR exercise team.

This is a full-time, Exempt six month position.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain functional currency and relevancy and awareness of SOF and Joint Enterprise training requirements through constant research of past and current operations, Presidential Policy Directives, DoD Instructions, Manuals, Guides, and Directives; Joint Exercise Instructions, Manuals, Guides, Directives, and Courses; campaign plans, Concept Plans (CONPLAN), Operation Plans (OPLAN), execute orders (EXORD), Joint, Service, and SOF doctrine, Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) products, professional journals and publications; attendance at JCT professional development activities (contractors assigned to JCT); attendance at Joint Special Operations, and other Department of Defense or Service/SOF Courses (when approved by the government); coordination and attendance in key USSOCOM HQ Joint Directorates (J-DIRS) battle rhythm (BR) events); participation in USSOCOM, Service, or Joint Staff (JS) Working Groups; attendance at professional conferences; and/or monitoring the Joint Training Tool (JTT), Defense Readiness Reporting System-Strategic (DRRS), Joint Lessons Learned Information System (JLLIS), USSOCOM Lessons Learned System (SOFLIS), Special Operations Debrief and Retrieval System (SODARS)
• Prepare appropriate training methods and materials based on Adult Learning and Training principles that train Battle Staffs on the 12 SOF core activities and 18 SOF joint HQs tasks at the operational and strategic levels in functional areas that include: command and control, computers, communications, information systems (C4I); operations, plans, intelligence, fires, sustainment, communications, information and knowledge management, information operations, cyber, civil affairs, interagency, and partner nation coordination
• Maintain functional and cooperative relationships with operational and strategic level planners and leaders in the USSOCOM HQs, GCC's, TSOC's, the Joint Staff, and JSOC, to facilitate a synchronized effort in exercise design and execution across the community of interest
• Support exercise design, JELC planning, scenario scripting, key staff role playing, training, and observations
• Utilize the ADDIE (Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluate) model in executing the Joint Training System / Joint Training Tool to determine exercise and training requirements, design and develop appropriate training materials and scripting for in-person and online delivery, deliver in-person and online training using adult training principles, observe and evaluate training effectiveness and efficiency
• Oversee development and coordination of Opposing Force (OPFOR), Range, and Situational Forces (SITFOR) support for AFSOC participation in JNTC event JELC planning and execution. Ensure OPFOR/SITFOR/Range requirements are met, including but not limited to: target array development and placement at execution locations; adequate medical and logistical access to OPFOR/SITFOR locations; adequate vehicle, LZ, and HLZ access in support of OPFOR/SITFOR required movements; coordination with respective weapons and tactics offices for OPFOR/SITFOR DZ, LZ, FARP and HLZ support; coordination with applicable local range offices in support of OPFOR/SITFOR range access and movements.
• Create or review/critique events concepts, to include purpose, objectives, broad scenario characteristics, processes, and products to support the mission and objectives of the event’s sponsor; use real-world events and operational planning concepts
• Create/Replicate international/national/strategic and operational level products and orders to support Theater SOF/CT/CWMD exercises for a multinational training audience, within Foreign Disclosure (FDO) and DOS export compliance guidelines
• Provide counter-terrorism exercise design and coordination expertise, advisory and co-planner technical assistance tailored during ELLIPSE exercise design phase
• Incorporate Joint Mission Essential Task List (JMETL) tasks and exercise training objectives into the observation plan to ensure all exercise milestones and objectives are observed
• When required, support the Joint Exercise Control Group (JECG) and augment and replicate key HQs staff positions for SOF Higher HQs (C/JFSOCC, C/SOJTF, C/JSOTF, C/JSOAC, SOTF, SOTG, SOTU)

Requirements

• Range/OPFOR Planner must have prior SOF Planning experience in either SOF unit or SOF C2, with operational knowledge of SOF air planning guidance and current assigned aircraft capabilities.
• Must have an active TS-SCI Clearance. Only applicants with a current TS-SCI will be considered
• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years’ experience in SOF, or Prior E8+, CW4+ with 10 years’ experience working in SOF
• Minimum of 4 years of recent experience serving in a command, senior enlisted advisor, or primary staff billet in a SOF (USSOCOM/TSOC), Service, Joint Staff, OSD, or 3-4 Star level Service/CCMD HQs within the past 8 years
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience with the Joint Training System (joint exercise planning management)
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in joint operations and operational-strategic level SOF planning and operations
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in the Adaptive Planning and Execution System (APEX) and Joint Operational Planning Process (JOPP)
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in Operational Design preferred
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience directly interfacing with senior staff (O5/O6 and GOFO) at the TSOCs, Components, CCMDs, Services, Interagency
• Excellent presentation, communication and organization skills
• Preferred 2 years’ experience as a platform instructor in a Professional Military Education/training environment

Detroit Defense/Athenix Special Missions offers an impressive compensation and benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Benefits
• Company Paid Life and AD&D
• Company Paid Short Term and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending & HSA Accounts
• Legal & ID Shield Services
• 401k with Company Match
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)

Why Detroit Defense/Athenix Special Missions:

At Detroit Defense/Athenix Special Missions, we deliver mission-critical solutions that enhance national security, protect the warfighter, and enable readiness through innovation, technical excellence, and end-to-end lifecycle support.

Remaining steadfast in our core values of Trustworthy, Mission Driven, Creative, and Agile we are a complex systems integrator for the U.S. Government, Detroit Defense provides solutions to meet the technical and programmatic challenges faced by our customers. Our proven success in multi-domain cross-platform system-of-systems integration results in fielded capability for warfighters. From R&D to production, fielding, and sustainment, Detroit Defense provides services and solutions to Empower Those That protect Us.

Veterans Encouraged to Apply:

Detroit Defense/Athenix Special Missions proudly supports those who have served. We welcome applicants with military experience, including those transitioning to civilian careers. Your leadership, adaptability, and mission-focused mindset are valued here.

Detroit Defense/Athenix Special Missions is a proud recipient of the Hire Vets Gold Medallion Award since 2022.

Detroit Defense/Athenix Special Missions is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity or gender expression), age, mental or physical disability, creed, ancestry, citizenship, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, medical condition, genetic trait or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.