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