INDOPACOM - ALPHA - Exercise Planner - Junior

Job Description

Job Description

Salary : $75,000 - $85,000

Position Location : Hampton, VA - Joint Base Langley-Eustis (JBLE)

This position and the associated duties and responsibilities are contingent upon securing the necessary funding and formal contract award.

Makai is an NHO 8(a) that specializes in C5ISR services, DoD systems integration, business analytics, and the modernization of wired and wireless government networks. Makai provides professional services and technical expertise in mobile / edge computing (deployable 5G), systems engineering, cybersecurity, data migration and storage, software development (DevSecOps), and process improvement.

Makai is seeking an Exercise Planner to support Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Air Combat Command (ACC). The Exercise Planner will support the planning and execution of joint and coalition exercises within the Indo-Pacific region. The Exercise Planner will oversee the full lifecycle of exercises, from concept development and coordination through execution and after-action review, ensuring alignment with operational objectives and strategic priorities. This position requires strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills, as well as experience managing operational and logistics requirements in a dynamic environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and manage assigned exercises throughout the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC), including concept development, execution, and after-action review
• Develop exercise options based on unit availability, training requirements, and exercise objectives
• Develop and brief exercise options to senior client leaders. Work with outside organizations and subordinate units during mission analysis.
• Finalize exercise planning by providing concept of operations and writing exercise orders
• Collect data and develop after action reports
• Build after action briefings for senior client leaders
• Utilize existing resources to develop exercises of Joint and Combined training events
• Develop exercise objectives, attendee lists, and coordinate logistics for planning meetings, conferences, and execution events
• Estimate and manage funding requirements within assigned budgets for each exercise
• Coordinate and communicate with internal and external stakeholders, including service components, partner nations, and interagency participants, to ensure effective execution and continuity
• Provide guidance, assistance, and training to exercise participants and planning teams
• Analyze and document the effectiveness of exercise planning and execution as part of after-action reporting
• Identify, analyze, and resolve contingency issues or execution challenges by developing and socializing Courses of Action (COAs)
• Ensure compliance with all applicable performance standards, deliverables, and reporting requirements
• Maintain awareness of regional relationships, customs, and courtesies relevant to joint and coalition exercise planning
• Account for current and projected force structure, roles, responsibilities, and capabilities when developing exercise participation plans
• Liaise with national-level agencies, DoD, Services, Combatant Commands, and Intelligence organizations as required
• Utilize Microsoft Office applications and learn new planning and collaboration tools, including AI, ML, and LLM-enabled systems, to enhance efficiency and coordination

Degree / Education and Training Requirements

Experience

Required :

Preferred :

WORKING CONDITIONS

SECURITY CLEARANCE

Estimated Compensation

Individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including but not limited to employee's experience, skills, education, industry, location, company size, and overall market demand.

General Description of Benefits and Other Compensation to be Offered :

As an EOE / AA employer, Makai, LLC will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status.