Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Joint Special Operations

Location: Fort Bragg, NC
Clearance Required: Active Secret Clearance
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary Range: $134,000 - $138,000 annually

Position Overview

MKS2 is seeking a highly experienced Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Joint Special Operations to provide operational planning expertise in support of Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs), Joint Special Operations Task Forces (JSOTFs), and Mission Command Exercises (MCEs). This position serves as a critical advisor and planner supporting strategic guidance development, campaign planning, intelligence integration, irregular warfare operations, and Special Operations Forces (SOF) mission command training.

The SME will provide senior-level expertise to support the design, planning, execution, and assessment of TSOC and JSOTF-focused Mission Command Exercises while ensuring training objectives align with joint operational requirements and national security priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expertise on joint SOF operations, strategic planning, and mission command processes.
• Support planning, design, development, execution, and assessment of TSOC and JSOTF-focused Mission Command Exercises (MCEs).
• Advise government leadership on operational planning, campaign design, intelligence integration, and irregular warfare operations.
• Develop exercise scenarios, planning products, operational orders, and training objectives supporting joint SOF missions.
• Integrate strategic guidance, joint doctrine, and SOF operational concepts into exercise development efforts.
• Assist in the development of campaign plans, theater strategies, operational approaches, and course-of-action analyses.
• Facilitate planning sessions, workshops, rehearsals, and after-action reviews with senior military leaders and staff.
• Support intelligence-informed planning activities and operational environment assessments.
• Provide expertise in unconventional warfare (UW), military information support operations (MISO), civil affairs, and special operations planning.
• Prepare reports, briefings, recommendations, and lessons learned for government stakeholders.
• Coordinate with exercise planners, intelligence professionals, and operational staffs to ensure realistic and effective training outcomes.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Military Education & Experience

• Graduate of an Army Special Operations Forces, Military Information Support Operations (MISO), Civil Affairs, or Military Intelligence Officer Qualification Course, or equivalent service-specific qualification program.
• Graduate of Intermediate Level Education (ILE), Command and General Staff College, Senior Service College, or equivalent professional military education.
• Graduate of Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC), JPME-II, or equivalent Joint Professional Military Education program.
• Minimum of two (2) years of SOF Headquarters joint operations staff experience.
• Minimum of one (1) year supporting TSOC or JSOTF Mission Command Exercise planning and execution.
• Demonstrated experience supporting joint operational planning and mission command processes.

Clearance

• Active Secret Security Clearance required.

Desired Qualifications

• Completion of relevant Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) courses.
• Expertise in strategic-level planning and operational design.
• Experience supporting irregular warfare, unconventional warfare, and influence operations.
• Advanced knowledge of intelligence integration within joint operational planning processes.
• Experience supporting Geographic Combatant Commands, TSOCs, or Joint Task Forces.
• Familiarity with Joint Planning Process (JPP), operational design methodologies, and theater campaign planning.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough understanding of Joint and Special Operations doctrine, organizations, and command relationships.
• Expert knowledge of mission command principles, operational planning, and campaign development.
• Strong understanding of irregular warfare, unconventional warfare, intelligence operations, and strategic competition.
• Ability to advise senior military leaders and staff on complex operational issues.
• Outstanding verbal communication, briefing, facilitation, and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities in dynamic operational environments.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary planning team.

Work Environment

• Support may be performed at government facilities, mission training centers, and exercise locations.
• Periodic travel may be required to support planning conferences, exercises, and operational engagements.
• Must be capable of supporting high-tempo planning and training environments.

Why Join MKS2

At MKS2, we support the nation’s most important Special Operations and defense missions by providing world-class training, operational planning expertise, and mission readiness solutions. Our professionals work alongside military leaders to ensure mission success across the full spectrum of special operations.

Salary Range: $134,000 - $138,000 annually
Security Clearance: Active Secret Clearance Required
Position Type: Full-Time
Mission Area: Joint Special Operations Planning & Mission Command Exercises