EXERCISE PLANNER SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS
Updated: Jun 11, 2025 - The Exercise Planner specializes in designing and executing military exercises across various levels including battalion, brigade, and division, with a robust understanding of the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) and related policies. This position brings expertise in both Combat Arms and Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO), adept at steering exercises from concept through to detailed planning and execution, including senior-level briefings and After Action Reviews (AAR). This role supports SOCOM and MARSOC readiness exercises, managing tasks such as Ops-Intel planning, ISR, and logistics, leveraging MS Office tools to enhance operational efficiency and training outcomes.
Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Exercise Planner Resume
- Planning
- MSEL
- Readiness
- Research
- Development
- Joint Planning
- Logistics
- Cyber Exercise Planning
- Incident Response
- Data Analysis
- Coordination
- Integration
- Logistics Coordination
- Briefing
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Flexibility
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Adaptability
Summary of Exercise Planner Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume
1. BS in Kinesiology with 4 years of Experience
- Experience with exercise planning
- Knowledge of Combatant Command planning processes and Joint Publication 5-0 and Joint Publication 3-14
- Knowledge of the Joint Training Management Systems
- Experience as staff at a Major Command
- Experience in major space missions or centers
- Knowledge of Army collective training doctrine, methods, and regulations
- Ability to conduct planning, coordination, research, analysis, and requirements development in support of Information Operations and exercises
- Experience directly supporting IO missions
- Experience supporting 1st IO CMD operations or training.
- Experience with deployment as an Electronic Warfare Specialist
- Experience as an Army collective training instructor, evaluator, observer/controller, scripter
- Experience developing and implementing long-, mid-, and short-range planning, mission analysis, and execution of the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP)
2. BS in Exercise Science with 3 years of Experience
- Experience with military exercises at the battalion, brigade, or division level
- Knowledge of the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) process, policy, and doctrine
- Ability to use MS Office Suite programs, including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Experience in Combat Arms Operations or Division
- Experience in Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) planning and execution
- Knowledge of Bi-Lateral and Uni-Lateral Exercises
- Ability to take an exercise from the concept phase, plan the exercise, prepare and provide senior-level concept of operation brief
- Ability to assist in the development of exercise Joint Manning Document (JMD) and Joint Training Information Management System (JTIMS)
- Ability to conduct After Action Review (AAR) with the exercise training audience and submit closeout reports
- Experience providing comprehensive exercise planning in support of SOCOM exercises (examples include Ops-Intel planning, ISR, F3EAD, logistics, civilian authorities, realistic military training)
- Experience planning/supporting MARSOC Training Readiness Exercises (TRX) events as a task
3. BA in Health Promotion with 4 years of Experience
- Experience as a training and exercise developer, planner, and writer with a civilian government agency or military service, including training and exercise planning process/workflows and development and publication of training and exercise documentation.
- Understanding of the guiding principles of exercise and evaluation programs, as well as common approaches to exercise program management, design, development, conduct, evaluation, and improvement planning.
- Understanding of standard approaches to curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and measurement of training effects.
- Familiarity with federal authorities related to emergency management, national preparedness, all-hazards planning, and federal response and recovery operations (including the National Incident Management System, Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program, and National Exercise Program).
- Knowledge of principles of emergency management, emergency management training and exercise requirements and protocols, and current nationwide trends.
- Ability to manage competing tasks.
- Easily works within and across teams.
- Familiar working with technical professionals and other SMEs.
- Experience as a program manager of contract/task orders for a USSOCOM unit.
- Experience at an O5 command level as an Ops-Intel planner or a former 160th SOAR Flight Lead.
4. BS in Sports Management with 3 years of Experience
- Experience in space planning and execution.
- Experience in space and signals intelligence working as part of an Air Operations Center (AOC).
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, and Outlook).
- Knowledge of tools used for exercise planning such as JTIMS, JMSEL, JLLS, DCO, etc.
- Experience in support CCMD and Service level exercises (Terminal Fury, Global Lightning, Global Thunder, Austere Challenge, Internal Look, Ulchi Freedom Guardian, Panamax, ACC Flag exercises [Red Flag, Blue Flag, Virtual Flag], Space Scrimmage, Space Flag) or other Department of Defense (DoD) exercise customers.
- Familiarity with Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Methodology
- Expertise with Microsoft Office 365 applications, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Customer service orientation, focus, and ability to multitask
- Ability to respond to urgent and sensitive requests for information in a timely manner
- Strong and demonstrated teamwork abilities
5. BS in Public Health with 4 years of Experience
- Experience in planning and executing a Component or Joint Exercise Program
- Experience with the Five Stages of the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC)
- Knowledge of Joint, Bilateral, and Unilateral Exercises
- Knowledge of the aspects of Multi-Domain Operations
- Experience working with the Army Multi-Domain Task Force
- Experience in organizational leadership
- Experience with using MS Office applications, including MS Office 365
- Ability to take an exercise from the concept phase, plan the exercise, prepare, and provide senior-level concept of operation brief
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Familiarity with exercise development, design, conduct, and analysis
- Flexible, self-motivated, and able to adapt to changing circumstances
Professional Skills FAQs
What are professional skills?
Professional skills are abilities that help individuals perform tasks effectively in a workplace environment. These skills include both technical competencies required for specific roles and soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem solving.
What is the difference between hard skills and soft skills?
Hard skills are technical abilities learned through education or training, such as programming, data analysis, or laboratory testing. Soft skills refer to interpersonal abilities like communication, leadership, adaptability, and teamwork.
Why are professional skills important for careers and resumes?
Professional skills help employers evaluate whether a candidate can perform job responsibilities effectively. Listing relevant skills on a resume demonstrates qualifications and helps applications pass Applicant Tracking Systems used in modern hiring processes.
What professional skills do employers look for?
Employers usually value a combination of technical expertise and transferable workplace skills. Common examples include analytical thinking, communication, teamwork, leadership, time management, adaptability, and digital literacy.
How can professionals develop professional skills?
Professionals can develop skills through continuous learning, training programs, certifications, mentorship, and practical work experience. Staying updated with industry trends also helps individuals maintain relevant and competitive skills.
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Editorial operations are managed by Thanh Huyen, Managing Editor, with research direction and final oversight by Lam Nguyen, Founder & Editorial Lead. Content is periodically reviewed to reflect observable labor market changes.