Military Planner Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Position Overview

TACFI Consulting, LLC is seeking an experienced SOF Integrator to support the Northern Strike Plans Group (NSPG) in Lansing, Michigan.

The SOF Integrator will serve as a senior Special Operations Forces (SOF) planning subject matter expert responsible for integrating SOF capabilities, training objectives, joint fires, aviation, maneuver, and conventional force requirements throughout the Northern Strike Joint Exercise Life Cycle.

This position is ideal for a highly experienced military planner with a strong background in SOF operations, joint fires, joint air control, Mission Command, operational planning, and large-scale joint or combined live-fire exercises.

This position is contingent on contract award

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as a liaison between SOF participants, conventional forces, exercise planners, higher headquarters, and supporting organizations.
• Provide SOF planning expertise, technical guidance, mentorship, and recommendations to participating units.
• Analyze unit training requirements and develop solutions that align with organizational and exercise objectives.
• Facilitate the integration, interoperability, and interdependence of Joint, Combined, Coalition, SOF, and conventional forces.
• Support planning and execution throughout the Northern Strike Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC).
• Participate in internal planning meetings, working groups, planning conferences, site visits, and exercise synchronization events.
• Coordinate with SOF exercise participants and higher commands to ensure training plans support current operational requirements and command directives.
• Coordinate with fires, maneuver, aviation, and U.S. Air Force planners regarding joint fires, mobility, air interdiction, personnel recovery, and other aviation support requirements.
• Support the integration of artillery, mortars, rockets, rotary-wing aviation, and other joint-force capabilities into SOF training.
• Review Mission Essential Tasks (METs) and assist units in integrating training requirements with Joint and Universal Joint Task standards.
• Coordinate external support from military commands, DoD organizations, and other participating agencies.
• Support exercise High Command (HICOM) operations during Northern Strike execution by providing liaison, deconfliction, synchronization, and SOF subject matter expertise.
• Capture lessons learned, best practices, and exercise observations.
• Support development of After-Action Reports and Joint Lessons Learned Information System (JLLIS) submissions.
• Coordinate with SOF Centers of Excellence to refine training objectives for future exercise iterations.
• Conduct site visits and engage SOF commands to encourage and facilitate participation in Northern Strike.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must possess:

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in the planning and coordination of joint air control within a Joint Operations Area in support of a Combined Live Fire Exercise.
• Demonstrated expertise in:
  • Mission Command
  • Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP)
  • Joint Operational Planning Process (JOPP)
  • Joint and combined operational planning
• Demonstrated experience within the past five (5) years supporting Mission Command at the Brigade level or higher.
• Experience with Joint Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) planning processes, plans, and orders development.
• Strong knowledge of joint fires and Close Air Support planning and integration.
• Working knowledge of SOF doctrine, organizations, capabilities, and operational planning.
• Experience coordinating across multiple military services, commands, agencies, and functional areas.
• Ability to provide senior-level technical guidance and mentorship to military personnel and participating units.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced joint planning environment.
• Ability and willingness to travel in support of Northern Strike planning and execution events.
• Current SECRET security clearance.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Common Access Card (CAC) and access to required DoD information systems.

Highly Desired Experience

Highly competitive candidates may possess experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Special Operations Forces planning or operations
• SOF liaison officer duties
• JTAC, JTAC-I, JFO, Fires Planner, Fires Officer, or similar joint fires experience
• Special Forces operations or planning
• Joint or multinational exercise planning
• Northern Strike, JRTC, NTC, or other major Combat Training Center or joint exercise experience
• Brigade, Division, Joint Task Force, or higher headquarters planning
• Joint Air-Ground Integration Center (JAGIC) operations
• Joint National Training Capability (JNTC) exercises
• Joint fires, aviation, maneuver, or air-ground integration
• Exercise HICOM or Exercise Control operations

Knowledge or operational experience involving the following SOF mission areas is also highly desirable:

• Direct Action
• Special Reconnaissance
• Unconventional Warfare
• Foreign Internal Defense
• Security Force Assistance
• Counterinsurgency
• Counter-Weapons of Mass Destruction
• Hostage Rescue and Recovery
• Military Information Support Operations / Psychological Operations
• Civil Affairs
• Foreign Humanitarian Assistance

Work Location and Travel

The primary place of performance is:

Michigan National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters
3423 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Lansing, MI 48906

Normal duty hours are approximately 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

On-site performance is considered the standard. Telework may be authorized for up to two days per week at the discretion of the Government Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

The position requires travel to support planning conferences, site surveys, training events, and exercise execution. Travel is estimated at approximately 15 trips annually, with primary locations including Camp Grayling and Alpena, Michigan. Additional travel may include Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, and other locations as mission requirements dictate.

Benefits Summary

All new TACFI team members start accruing PTO at a rate of 20 days annually, receive a 6% 401(k) match with immediate vesting, and are eligible to receive annual profit-sharing.

TACFI also offers employee-focused benefits including:

• Up to $5,000 in annual tuition reimbursement
• Medical insurance through BCBS with Health Savings Account (HSA) options
• Dental and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Disability coverage
• Annual profit-sharing eligibility
• Professional development and education opportunities

About TACFI

Tacticians For Innovation (TACFI) Consulting is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) providing experienced subject matter experts to Department of Defense, federal, state, and local government customers.

Our team brings extensive operational experience across the Military, Special Operations Forces, Law Enforcement, and First Responder communities. TACFI provides consulting, planning, coaching, training, program support, and business support services built around the strength and operational credibility of our subject matter experts.

At TACFI, we value professionals who can translate real-world experience into practical solutions for our customers and teammates.

Experience to Build Successful Teams.

To learn more about TACFI, visit TACFI.US.

Equal Opportunity Employer

TACFI Consulting is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.