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Mission Commander Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CGS is looking for an Assistant Work Area Commander (WAC) to support the US Army's Mission Command Training Program (MCTP) at Fort Leavenworth, KS. Do you want to use your creativity, problem-solving ...

* Act as mission commander during flights, providing pre-flight mission briefing to pilot * Maintain situational awareness during flight and communicate potential hazards to pilot * Perform aerial ...

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Mission Commander information

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$54K

$142.7K

$249.5K

How much do mission commander jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for mission commander in the United States is $142,683.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,500.00 and $160,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Mission Commander vs Mission Planner?

AspectMission CommanderMission Planner
Required CredentialsTypically requires pilot certifications, military or aviation experienceRequires planning certifications, aviation or military background
Work EnvironmentOperates in field or command centers, overseeing missionsWorks in offices or simulation environments, designing mission plans
Employer & IndustryMilitary, aerospace, drone operationsMilitary, aerospace, drone industry

Mission Commanders and Mission Planners often work together in aviation and drone operations. While Mission Commanders lead and execute missions in the field, Mission Planners focus on designing and preparing those missions. Both roles require specialized certifications and industry experience, but their core responsibilities differ: one leads operational execution, the other handles strategic planning.

What are some common challenges faced by Mission Commanders during high-stakes operations, and how are they typically addressed?

Mission Commanders often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing operational conditions, complex decision-making under pressure, and the need to coordinate diverse teams with specialized skills. These challenges are typically addressed through thorough pre-mission planning, ongoing risk assessments, and clear communication protocols. Commanders also rely on robust training, situational awareness, and support from their mission teams to adapt quickly and maintain mission objectives. Building strong relationships with team members and fostering a collaborative environment are also essential for overcoming obstacles and ensuring mission success.

What is a Mission Commander?

A Mission Commander is the individual responsible for leading and overseeing a specific mission, often in military, space, or emergency response operations. They coordinate teams, make critical decisions, and ensure the mission’s objectives are achieved safely and effectively. Mission Commanders must possess strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, as they are accountable for the mission’s success and the well-being of their team. Their duties can include planning, executing, and reviewing missions, as well as adapting to changing circumstances on the ground.

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

To thrive as a Mission Commander, you need strong leadership, decision-making, and operational planning skills, often supported by advanced degrees and extensive experience in military or aerospace missions. Familiarity with mission planning software, communication systems, and navigation tools, as well as specialized certifications, is typically required. Exceptional communication, stress management, and teamwork abilities are vital for coordinating diverse teams in high-pressure environments. These skills ensure mission objectives are achieved safely and efficiently while maintaining team cohesion and responding effectively to dynamic situations.
More about Mission Commander jobs
What job categories do people searching Mission Commander jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Mission Commander jobs are:
Infographic showing various Mission Commander job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $142,683 per year, or $68.6 per hour.

Junior Mission Command Information System (MCIS) System Administrator

Federal Sherpa

Leavenworth, KS • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

The Opportunity:
Federal Sherpa is uniquely positioned to support the United States Army's Mission Command Training Program (MCTP) at Fort Leavenworth, KS by delivering strategic program and project management expertise tailored to MCTP. Leveraging a team of seasoned professionals-including U.S. Army veterans and former senior government executives-we provide mission-focused solutions that enhance War Fighter Exercises and SRM-aligned training. Our commitment to integrity, performance, and innovation ensures that operational forces are equipped to execute unified land operations and respond effectively to domestic crises, reinforcing the Army's readiness and command capabilities.
Location: Onsite -MCTP - Fort Leavenworth, KS
Are you looking for an opportunity to combine your technical skills with big picture thinking to make an impact on national security? You understand your customer's environment and how to develop the right systems for their mission. Your ability to translate real-world needs into technical specifications makes you an integral part of delivering a customer focused engineering solution.
As a Mission Command Information System (MCIS) administrator on our team, you'll support the technical infrastructure used to train military personnel on command and control systems. This includes installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting the complex hardware and software systems used in simulated combat exercises known as Warfighter Exercises (WFXs) for the Mission Command Training Program (MCTP). You'll design, integrate, and maintain the infrastructure that powers large-scale, computer-based training exercises-ensuring that constructive simulations and After-Action Review tools run smoothly for commanders and battle staffs.
You will lead the administration of servers, networks, virtualization platforms, and storage systems that underpin the Joint Land Component Constructive Training Capability and ARCHER After Action Review environments. Your role bridges technical support, architecture planning, and security compliance, enabling seamless integration of Army Mission Command Information Systems into global training events.
Key Responsibilities
• System Administration:
o Install, configure, and maintain Windows and Linux servers, virtualization platforms (VMware/Hyper-V), storage arrays, user accounts, and security settings across multiple exercise networks.
• Exercise Support & Integration:
o Integrate and validate command systems within WFX exercises. Test end-to-end connectivity between simulation tools and live Mission Command systems.
o Allocate computer and network resources to support exercise scale and fidelity.
• Technical Troubleshooting:
o Provide tier-III support during training events.
o Rapidly diagnose and remediate hardware, software, and network issues to maintain continuous exercise operations.
• Cybersecurity Enforcement:
o Implement DoD security policies, apply DISA STIGs, and deploy patches.
o Monitor logs, conduct vulnerability scans, and coordinate incident response to safeguard the MCIS environment.
• System Configuration & Readiness:
o Build, harden, and maintain command post servers and virtual environments according to accreditation standards.
o Ensure all systems are exercise-ready with up-to-date images and configurations.
• Backup & Disaster Recovery:
o Develop, test, and maintain backup strategies, replication, and recovery plans to ensure mission continuity in case of system failures or data loss.
• Documentation & Training:
o Create and update SOPs, runbooks, and network diagrams.
o Deliver technical briefings and hands-on training to exercise participants, JLCCTC and ARCHER technicians, and junior IT staff.
• Network Management:
o Configure and monitor switches, routers, firewalls, VLANs, and VPNs.
o Ensure secure, high-performance connectivity across local and wide area networks.
Key System Knowledge
MCIS Administrators at MCTP integrate and support a broad spectrum of mission command platforms, including:
• Tactical Mission Command (TMC)
• Global Command and Control System - Army/Joint (GCCS-A)
• Force XXI Battle Command Brigade & Below (FBCB2) + Blue Force Tracker (BFT/BFT2) + Joint Capability Release (JCR) + JCR-Log + JCR-Field Level Maintenance
• Joint Battle Command-Platform (JBC-P)
• Command Post Computing Environment (CPCE)
• Command Post of the Future (CPOF)
• Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS)
• Joint Automated Deep Operations Control System (JADOCS)
• Army Intelligence Data Platform (AIDP)
• Distributed Common Ground System - Army (DCGS-A)
• Air and Missile Defense Workstation (AMDWS)
• Tactical Airspace Integration System (TAIS)
• Capability Drop 1 (CD1)
• Integrated Command and Control Support Framework (ICSF)
• Battle Command Common Services (BCCS)
• GEOINT Workstation (GWS) and other intelligence warfighting function systems
This position may require access to restricted facilities. Due to the nature of work performed within those facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.
Join us. The world can't wait.
Qualifications:
• Associate's degree
• Meet DoDM 8140 qualifications with primary DoD Cyber Work Force (DCWF) role of Technical Support Specialist and secondary roles of System Administrator and Product Support Manager at tier, Intermediate
• One (1) year of experience with Military training and training support
• One (1) year of experience in integrating training environments, planning architectures, and stimulation of Army Mission Command Information Systems (MCiS) in support of unit training events and distributed exercises
Clearance:(Used for ability to obtain a clearance or specific clearance requirements)
Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information; Secret clearance is required.
Vetting: (Used for Public Trust or DHS suitability)
Public Trust: Applicants selected will be subject to a government investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements of the U.S. government client; Public Trust determination is required.
Benefits
Following a probationary period, Federal Sherpa offers:
• Industry competitive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Employee Life Insurance
• Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• PTO and all 11 Federal Holidays as paid days off
• 401(k) with up to 4% employer match