The Ascendancy Group’s Mission

To be the unequaled provider of special operations forces (SOF) and Intelligence Community focused technical, service, and training-based solutions.

Overview

The Exercise Planner position is a full-time position supporting designing, coordinating, and executing joint-level exercises that simulate complex Operations in the Information Environment (OIE). Utilizing strong expertise in operations, planning, and Information-Force including, Cyber Operations, Military Information Support Operations (MISO), and Military Deception (MILDEC)—the planner ensures exercises are realistic, mission-aligned, and reinforce joint operational readiness and influence integration.

This position is contingent upon contract award.

Security Requirement:TS/SCI or TS w/SCI Eligibility

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Leads planning and execution phases of joint, interagency, and multinational exercises, incorporating OIE and influence-relevant threat scenarios.
• Develops and manages Joint Exercise Lifecycle (JELC) events and Joint Exercise Control Group (JECG) activities, including planning conferences, exercise directives, and coordinating with joint and service components.
• Integrates Information Forces and capabilities such as MISO, MILDEC, Cyber Operations, Electronic Warfare (EW), Operations Security (OPSEC), and Civil Affairs (CA) into exercise objectives and Master Scenario Event Lists (MSELs).
• Coordinates across operational planning cells—including operations (J3), plans (J5), training and exercises (J7), and OIE (J39)—to ensure alignment with current operational priorities and contingency plans.
• Develops exercise vignettes and scenario injects that test command decision-making and replicate adversary messaging, targeting, and influence tactics.
• Ensures all activities comply with applicable Rules of Engagement (ROE), Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC), and classification/releasability guidelines.
• Supports After Action Reviews (AARs) and post-exercise reporting, including lessons learned, assessments of influence-related outcomes, and recommendations for future exercise design.
• Coordinates with the Intelligence Community (IC), interagency stakeholders, and partner nations as appropriate to enhance realism and joint interoperability.

Required Qualifications:

• Degree in Military Studies, National Security, International Relations, or a related field
• Experience in joint planning, operations, or exercise design
• Experience planning or executing exercises with Joint Planning Process (JPP), Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP), and joint operations planning
• Experience integrating Information Forces (MISO, MILDEC, cyber, EW, OPSEC, CA) into exercise scenarios or operational plans
• Experience working with Joint Operational Planning and Execution System (JOPES) and Joint Training Information Management System (JTIMS)
• Familiarity with joint doctrine including Joint Publication (JP) 3-0 (Joint Operations), JP 5-0 (Planning), and JP 3-13 (Information Operations)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate of Joint Planner Course (JPC), School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), or a senior-level Service or Joint Command and Staff College
• Experience supporting Combatant Commands (CCMDs), Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs), or Joint Task Forces (JTFs)
• Experience building exercise vignettes, scripting MSELs, and conducting campaign-level exercise design
• Familiarity with Global Force Management (GFM), Time-Phased Force and Deployment Data (TPFDD), and force allocation processes

The Ascendancy Group (TAG) was founded on and thrives based on relationships, reputation, and trust. We are passionate about everything we do. One hundred percent of our government-focused teammates are former members of the Department of Defense or the Intelligence Community who still believe in supporting our nation. We offer like-minded individuals the opportunity to continue working in small teams on unique and challenging problem sets that further our nation's security. To expedite your application, provide the following information when you apply:

• Do you have an active TS/SCI Clearance? If not, are you eligible for one?
• Total number of years professional experience
• List the highest degree earned and the field of study
• List the second highest degree earned and the field of study
• Provide your experience as it relates to this role. Please be specific.

If you possess the experience, qualifications and drive required for this position, please APPLY NOW for consideration!