Exercise Planning Officer (Aviation)

The Nakupuna Companies are a Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO)-owned family of companies comprising large and 8(a) small businesses. Our mission is to create and implement elegant solutions to the government's most challenging problems while increasing economic opportunities for the Native Hawaiian community. Over the past 10 years, Nakupuna has become a leader among NHOs and through our successes, the Nakupuna Foundation has given over $15MM to the Native Hawaiian community.

Nakupuna Consulting is seeking an Exercise Planning Officer (EPO) to support the planning and execution of joint and coalition exercises within the Indo-Pacific region. The EPO 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 logistical requirements in a dynamic environment.

The following reflects management's definition of essential functions for this job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may assign additional duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

Plan, organize, and manage assigned exercises throughout the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC), including concept development, execution, and after-action review.
• 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.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience planning Major Command-level (or equivalent) exercises.
• Familiarity with operational and logistical requirements for exercises, deployments, and mobilizations.
• Working knowledge of force structure, including country locations, units, and assigned assets.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to respond to communications within established timelines.
• Ability to lead and collaborate within a team environment, demonstrating strong leadership and customer interface skills.
• Proficiency with current Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn new planning software.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred:

• Recent military experience within the past 5 to 10 years.
• Rated officer background or logistics experience.
• Air Operations Center (AOC) or Major Command/Numbered Air Force (MAJCOM/NAF) staff experience.
• At least 6 years of aviation experience (Pilot, Navigator, Air Battle Manager, or Aircrew Member).
• Experience in planning and executing Joint or Coalition Field Training Exercises (FTXs), Command Post Exercises (CPXs), Staff Exercises, or Table-Top Exercises involving aviation assets.
• Familiarity with Theater Campaign Plans and organizational strategy.
• Experience liaising with national-level agencies and intelligence organizations.
• Experience with Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES) and Deliberate and Crisis Action Planning and Execution Segments (DCAPES).
• Operational and logistical experience in the Asia-Pacific theater.
• Familiarity with financial documentation and management systems (MIPRs, AF-616s, Comptroller Alerts, Manpower MPA Man-day Management System).
• Working knowledge of Joint Training Tool (JTT) and Global Theater Security Cooperation Management Information System (G-TSCMIS).
• Experience in planning and executing CPXs and FTXs within the relevant Area of Responsibility (AOR).

Clearance: This position requires an active Top Secret/SCI security clearance. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Physical Requirements: The ideal candidate must at a minimum be able to meet the following physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation:

• Ability to perform repetitive motions with the hands, wrists, and fingers.
• Ability to engage in and follow audible communications in emergency situations.
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods at a desk and working on a computer.

The Nakupuna Companies use a market-based compensation strategy to ensure that our employees are compensated within applicable market ranges commensurate with multiple factors, including but not limited to the individual's particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, and position location. The projected compensation range for this position is $100,000 to $160,000 annually. The range displayed represents the typical range for this position and is just one component of Nakupuna Companies total compensation package for employees.