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Lieutenant Colonel Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Correctional Officer Lieutenant * Correctional Officer Captain * Correctional Officer Major * Correctional Officer Colonel * Assistant Warden * Warden Benefits: * Paid vacation, sick leave and ...

Once you join the FDC, there are many career advancement opportunities that progress from entry level as a Correctional Officer to Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major and Colonel. From there ...

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Lieutenant Colonel information

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$43K

$81.7K

$133K

How much do lieutenant colonel jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for lieutenant colonel in the United States is $81,728.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $108,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lieutenant Colonel, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lieutenant Colonel, you need extensive leadership experience, a strong understanding of military strategy, and typically a bachelor's degree alongside completion of advanced military education such as Command and General Staff College. Familiarity with military planning systems, operational management software, and secure communications platforms is essential. Strong decision-making, adaptability, and interpersonal skills are crucial for leading diverse teams and managing complex missions. These competencies ensure effective unit leadership, mission success, and the ability to operate in high-pressure environments.

What are some of the key leadership challenges faced by a Lieutenant Colonel in managing both field operations and administrative responsibilities?

A Lieutenant Colonel often balances commanding units in dynamic operational environments while also overseeing significant administrative tasks such as personnel management, training schedules, and resource allocation. One of the main challenges is maintaining clear communication and cohesion across diverse teams, especially in high-pressure situations. Additionally, the role requires adapting leadership styles to support both junior officers and enlisted personnel, ensuring mission success while fostering professional development. Effective delegation and time management are crucial to juggle these varied responsibilities successfully.

What is a Lieutenant Colonel?

A Lieutenant Colonel is a senior field-grade military officer rank, typically just above Major and below Colonel. In most armed forces, a Lieutenant Colonel commands a battalion or regiment, which can include several hundred to over a thousand personnel. They are responsible for leading operations, managing subordinate officers, and planning missions. This rank requires significant leadership experience and a strong track record of performance. Promotion to Lieutenant Colonel is competitive and involves both time in service and demonstrated capability.

What is the difference between Lieutenant Colonel vs Major?

AspectLieutenant ColonelMajor
Required CredentialsMilitary commission, officer training, advanced leadership experienceMilitary commission, officer training, leadership experience
Work EnvironmentMilitary units, command roles, strategic planningMilitary units, operational roles, tactical planning
Employer & Industry UsageArmy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy (as a senior officer)Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy (as a mid-level officer)

Lieutenant Colonels and Majors both serve as officers in the military, often in leadership roles. The main difference lies in their rank and level of responsibility, with Lieutenant Colonels typically overseeing larger units and strategic planning, while Majors focus on operational and tactical tasks. Both roles require similar credentials and are integral to military command structures.

More about Lieutenant Colonel jobs
What states have the most Lieutenant Colonel jobs? States with the most job openings for Lieutenant Colonel jobs include:
Infographic showing various Lieutenant Colonel job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, and 16% Part Time. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,728 per year, or $39.3 per hour.

G-3/5 Future Operations Planner (Must be a graduate of SAW / SAM)

Terrestris Global Solutions

Washington, DC โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

Are you looking for a Challenge? Looking for an innovative organization and the opportunity to learn and grow professionally? We can help! We are seeking a Future Operations Planner to support the Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES) Headquarters (HQ), G-3/5 Future Operations Division and its associated sections in New Orleans, LA and throughout the continental United States (CONUS), as required with potential outside of the continental United States (OCONUS) coordination.

I've never heard of Terrestris. What do you do?

At Terrestris, we leverage technology to create better mission outcomes through better human performance. We form strong client and team relationships through transparency and strive to create an environment where our team can let their excellence shine through. By finding, developing, and incorporating new ideas, we provide memorable services. Rooted in the USMC values of honor, courage, and commitment, Terrestris seeks to deliver extraordinary value to the American people by helping the Government become more efficient and effective.

So, what will the Future Operations Planner at Terrestris do?

As the Future Operations Planner you will provide planning, program management, and mission assurance support to ensure MARFORRES programs and capabilities remain compliant with Department of War, Department of the Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps policies, procedures, standards, and benchmarks. You will also provide coordination and advisory support to Major Subordinate Commands and feedback to COMMARFORRES to ensure operational alignment and mission success.

What does a typical day look like for the Future Operations Planner?

You will:

  • Support the MARFORRES G-3/5 Future Operations Division in establishing and administering Marine Corps strategic and operational programs, projects, and actions.
  • Serve as a daily liaison between Headquarters Marine Corps Plans, Policies, and Operations (PP&O), MARFORRES Assistant Chief of Staff G-3/5, Deputy G-3/5, Future Operations Officer, section heads, and Major Subordinate Commands to ensure mission execution aligns with COMMARFORRES intent.
  • Apply in-depth knowledge of the Marine Corps Planning Process (MCPP), Joint Planning Process (JPP), and Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) to support program management decision-making, including development and tracking of Plans of Action and Milestones and analysis of joint, service, and MARFORRES-level directives impacting future operations.
  • Support the development of Marine Corps plans, processes, procedures, and policies in support of enterprise-level programs and initiatives. Coordinate with Department of War, Department of the Navy, Service Component, and Marine Corps working groups to ensure synchronization with MARFORRES strategic and operational planning efforts.
  • Utilize in-depth knowledge of Marine Corps Order 3061.1 (Total Force Mobilization and Deployment Plan) to develop Execution Orders, Planning Orders, Operations Orders, and Letters of Instruction in support of Global Force Management tasking
  • Coordinate planning efforts across action officers to align MARFORRES capabilities with CONUS and OCONUS exercises.
  • Provide operational planning support through participation in operations, exercise, and Theater Security Cooperation planning conferences. Prepare and deliver briefings on future operations topics as required.
  • Advise the G-3/5 Division Head on campaign development, deliberate and long-range operational planning, Department of War policy, and joint and service-level future readiness requirements.
  • Review, assess, and recommend updates to orders, directives, and policies governing operations.
  • Support task management activities using Enterprise Task Management Software Solution (ETMS2) and the Automated Message Handling System (AMHS).

What qualifications do you look for?

You might be the professional we're looking for if you have:

  • Authorization to work in the U.S. permanently without sponsorship.
  • An Active SECRET security clearance, or higher.
  • Retired as a U.S. Marine Corps Major (O-4) / Lieutenant Colonel (O-5) or higher with operational and strategic planning experience at the MEF level or higher OR Army, Navy, or Air Force experience at MEF-level equivalent or higher.
  • USMC MOS 0505 or other service equivalent.
  • Successfully attended and graduated from one of the following: the United States Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting (SAW), the United States Army School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), the United States Navy Maritime Advanced Warfighting School (MAWS), or the United States Air Force school of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS).
  • A Minimum of (10) years of combined experience supporting the Department of Defense, including: At least (5) years of experience in Joint Planning Process or future operations planning At least (3) years of experience serving in a G-3 / 5 or J-3 organization, or at a Combatant Command or Service Component-level command in a planning or operations role.
  • A Minimum of (5) years of extensive experience with Marine Corps operational planning processes.
  • Working knowledge of the Marine Corps Planning Process, Joint Planning Process, and Joint Exercise Life Cycle.
  • Experience supporting joint, service, or component-level headquarters.
  • Familiarity with Marine Corps Order 3061.1, Total Force Mobilization and Deployment Plan.
  • Demonstrated strong briefing, coordination, and written communication skills.

We are extra impressed by folks with:

  • Prior experience supporting Marine Forces Reserve, Major Subordinate Commands, or Headquarters Marine Corps.
  • Experience with Global Force Management planning.
  • Experience supporting campaign planning and enterprise-level initiatives.
  • Graduate of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Marine Corps War College, or other Senior Service College.

What kind of benefits does Terrestris Offer?

We offer outstanding benefits including health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, and work-life programs. Our award programs acknowledge employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our service standards. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in our benefit programs. Other offerings may be provided for employees not within this category.

Terrestris is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

DILBERT 2018 Scott Adams. Used By permission of ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION. All rights reserved.