Theater Exercise Planner

SAIC; Nevada (IA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a Joint Exercise Planner at Camp Smith, HI to support USINDOPACOM J73 by orchestrating the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) and executing designated exercises such as COBRA GOLD, TIGER TRIUMPH, and VALIANT PACIFIC.

Responsibilities include leading planning workgroups, coordinating with stakeholders, authoring PLANORD/EXORD and SOPs, and ensuring proper staffing and facilities for exercise events with occasional international travel up to 30% per year.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus 10+ years of relevant experience, or 14 years with no degree.
• JP ME Phase I completed; experience on joint HQ accepted in lieu of JPME Phase I.
• Thorough knowledge of JELC to plan and execute STAFFEX/FTX/CPX.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, monitor and assess designated high-end exercises (JELC).
• Coordinate with OCE and USINDOPACOM J732 for planning events and briefs.
• Lead ECG control functions during event execution and coordinate with staff for resources.

Skills

Exercise planning

Joint operations

Project management

Clearance awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

TMS

JTT

MSS

Job description

Minimum Clearance Required Secret

Job ID 2616742

Location Camp Smith, HI, US

Date Posted 2026-09-11

Category Defense/Intel

Subcategory Military Operations

Schedule Full-Time

Shift Day Job

Travel Yes - 10% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required Secret

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain TS/SCI

Potential for Remote Work ORA_ON_SITE

Description

SAIC is currently seeking a Joint Exercise Planner located at Camp Smith in Honolulu, Hawaii to support the USINDOPACOM J73 with orchestrating the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) planning and efficient execution of designated USINDOPACOM J732 exercises, Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) Exercises Branch.

NOTE

International travel up to 30% of the year may be required to support the planning and execution of designated exercises.

Job Description

• Support USINDOPACOM J732 and associated organizations as a Joint Theater Security Cooperation Exercise Planner to plan, direct, monitor and assess designated high-end exercises which may include, but not limited to COBRA GOLD, TIGER TRIUMPH, VALIANT PACIFIC.
• Support the designated Organizations Conducting the Exercise (OCE) and the USINDOPACOM J732 Branch Chief by maintaining a deliberate plan of action with milestones in addition to exercise control training briefs, exercise planning deliverables, and exercise planning work group organizational requirements for all planning events (EDM, CDC, IPC, MPC, FPC) during the JELC.
• Perform Senior Control functions for the Exercise Control Group (ECG) during event execution.
• Ensure coordination with staff and other organizations to support the ECG with proper personnel during planning and execution leveraging the Joint Manning Document (JMD) process.
• Ensure coordination with staff and other organizations to support exercise events with proper facilities, equipment, and forces to enable achievement of exercise objectives.
• Develop, implement, and maintain efficient protocols, processes, and procedures in support of exercise planning and execution including authoring exercise directives (PLANORD/EXORD) and Exercise Control Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Lead exercise work group planning meetings with all stakeholders and In-Progress Reviews (IPRs) with senior leaders.
• Maintain associated J732 exercise information data sites and respond to Requests for Information (RFIs) related to designated exercise.
• Produce exercise orders or directives to facilitate guidance for exercise planning.
• Facilitate the development and integration of key leader engagements, messaging, and demonstrations into training, exercises, and experimentation events.
• Leverage appropriate tools in support of the JELC such as Task Management System (TMS), Joint Training Tool (JTT), MAVEN Smart System (MSS) and other related databases or systems.

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s and ten (10)+ years of relevant experience; additional four (4) years of experience accepted in lieu of degree.
• Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I complete; two (2) years of experience on a joint operational/strategic headquarters staff accepted in lieu of JPME Phase I.
• Thorough knowledge of the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) and associated requirements to plan and execute Staff Exercises (STAFFEX), Field Training Exercises (FTX) and/or Command Post Exercises (CPX).
• Proven experience in an operations management role with oversight of projects and maintenance of timelines.
• Experience in operations planning with US Armed Services, including joint assignments and working with Allies and Partner countries.

Required Clearance

• Must have an Active Secret Clearance with ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance.
• Must be a current US Citizen.

Desired Skillset

• Experience with Live-Virtual-Constructive training events desired.
• Experience working with partner country military forces desired.

Target salary range $120,001 - $160,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.