Cybersecurity Exercise Planner
- Location
- USA FL MacDill AFB
- Work mode
- On-site
- Employment type
- Full-time
About the job
This is an unpaid fellowship through the Department of War (DoW) SkillBridge Program. The fellow selected for this role will not receive compensation or benefits from GDIT and will not be an employee, agent or contractor of GDIT but rather will remain an employee of the DoW and will receive compensation and benefits through the DoW.
Type of Requisition: Regular
Clearance Level Must Currently Posses: Top Secret/SCI
Clearance Level Must Be Able To Obtain: Top Secret/SCI
Public Trust/Other Required: None
Job Family: Program Delivery and Execution
Job Qualifications: Skills: Exercise Planning, Joint Operational Planning, Planning Operations Certifications: None Experience: 3 + years of related experience US Citizenship Required: Yes
Job Description: Through the Department of War (DoW) SkillBridge Program, GDIT offers transitioning service members the opportunity to gain hands-on training and professional experience as a Cybersecurity Exercise Planning Fellow , supporting cybersecurity readiness and joint exercise programs within the USCENTCOM Information Technology Services (CITS) program.
Transform your operational planning experience into mission impact as a Cybersecurity Exercise Planning Fellow with GDIT. In this Fellowship, you will gain exposure to cybersecurity exercise planning, Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) processes, cyber threat scenario development, and exercise execution activities supporting USCENTCOM's mission throughout the Area of Responsibility (AOR).
At GDIT, people are our differentiators. As a Cybersecurity Exercise Planning Fellow , you will work alongside experienced exercise planners and cybersecurity professionals supporting USCENTCOM J5/7 exercise programs. You will gain experience with exercise planning conferences, Master Scenario Events List (MSEL) development, after-action reporting, lessons learned integration, and Joint Planning Process (JPP) methodologies while building familiarity with tools such as Microsoft Office, SharePoint, OneBrief, PCTE, and Advana.
Through mentorship, hands-on learning, and collaboration with military and civilian professionals, Fellows will strengthen their planning, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills while supporting mission-focused cybersecurity and operational readiness activities.
This Fellowship is designed to build the technical and operational readiness needed for future employment as a full-time Cybersecurity Exercise Planner within GDIT's mission-focused programs.
HOW A CYBERSECURITY EXERCISE PLANNING FELLOW WILL MAKE AN IMPACT:
- Gain hands-on experience supporting cybersecurity-focused exercise planning activities within the USCENTCOM environment.
- Participate in Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) planning events under the guidance of experienced exercise planners.
- Assist with the development and review of exercise plans, directives, and supporting documentation.
- Learn how operational objectives are translated into realistic exercise scenarios and training events.
- Support the development of Master Scenario Events Lists (MSELs) and simulation control injects used during exercises.
- Gain exposure to the planning and execution of Command Post Exercises (CPXs), Staff Exercises (STAFFEXs), and Field Training Exercises (FTXs) supporting Combatant Command and Service Component objectives.
- Participate in exercise planning conferences, working groups, synchronization meetings, and coordination activities.
- Gain exposure to the Joint Planning Process (JPP), operational design principles, and military planning methodologies.
- Assist in researching current cybersecurity threats, tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) for exercise integration.
- Support the creation of presentations, briefing materials, and planning products for senior leaders and stakeholders.
- Learn how exercise objectives, priorities, and support requirements are established and synchronized across multiple organizations.
- Assist with the documentation of meeting notes, exercise products, lessons learned, and action items.
- Participate in after-action review activities and learn how corrective actions are identified and tracked.
- Gain exposure to cybersecurity readiness and mission assurance concepts that support Combatant Command operations.
- Participate in planning and support activities for demonstrations, Tabletop Exercises (TTXs), Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) drills, seminars, and other exercise-related events.
- Collaborate with technical, operational, and planning teams supporting joint exercise requirements.
- Develop familiarity with planning and collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, OneBrief, PCTE, Advana, and related operational tools.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO SUCCEED Education:
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, cybersecurity, information technology, military studies, or a related field; or equivalent military training and experience.
- Additional military education, professional military education (PME), or training related to planning, operations, cybersecurity, or exercises is beneficial.
Experience:
- 3+ years of military experience as a Joint Exercise Planner or supporting operational planning, training, cyber operations, intelligence, communications, or related mission-focused environments.
- 2+ years of experience supporting operations within the USCENTCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR) preferred.
- Experience supporting military exercises, operational planning efforts, training events, or readiness activities.
Required Qualifications:
- Foundational knowledge of operational planning, exercise support, or military mission execution.
- Familiarity with exercise coordination and exercise design principles.
- Understanding of cybersecurity principles, operational environments, or information technology concepts.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to communicate effectively through written products, briefings, and collaborative discussions.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while supporting multiple planning priorities.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience supporting Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) activities.
- Experience contributing to the design, planning, organization, or execution of Command Post Exercises (CPXs), Staff Exercises (STAFFEXs), or Field Training Exercises (FTXs).
- Familiarity with USCENTCOM missions, organizations, and operational environments.
- Knowledge of the Joint Planning Process (JPP) and Joint Training Program (JTP).
- Experience briefing military or civilian leadership audiences.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, OneBrief, PCTE, Advana, or related planning platforms.
- Advanced military planning education such as SAMS, SAASS, JAWS, or equivalent military planning programs is a plus.
Technical & Professional Skills:
- Understanding of exercise planning, operational design, and mission support activities.
- Basic knowledge of the Joint Planning Process (JPP), Joint Training Program (JTP), and Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) concepts.
- Knowledge of military planning methodologies and joint operational concepts.
- Ability to research, analyze, and synthesize information from multiple sources.
- Ability to document planning activities, lessons learned, and exercise outcomes.
- Experience using Microsoft Office tools for documentation, reporting, and presentations.
- Strong analytical, communication, and critical-thinking abilities.
- Ability to collaborate with military, government, and contractor personnel.
- Commitment to mission success, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
Certifications:
- Applicable DoD 8140 or DoD 8570 certification required.
- CompTIA Security+ CE preferred.
- Additional cybersecurity, planning, or operational certifications are beneficial.
Role Requirements :
- Active TS/SCI security clearance required.
- U.S. Citizenship required.
- On-site attendance at customer site in Tampa, Florida .
- Fellowship duration aligned with DoW SkillBridge requirements.
- Ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
#LI-JM1
DoW SkillBridge Eligibility:
- Has served at least 180 days on active duty
- Can participate within the last 6 months of separation or retirement
- Will receive an honorable discharge
- Has taken any service TAP/TGPS
- Has attended or participated in an ethics brief within the last 12 months
Received Unit Commander (first O-4/Field Grade commander in chain of command) written authorization and approval to participate in DoW SkillBridge Program prior to start of the fellowship.
Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40
Travel Required: None
Telecommuting Options: Onsite
Work Location: USA FL MacDill AFB
Additional Work Locations:
Our Identity Verification Process: As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during virtual interviews. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud. By proceeding, you authorize the collection, processing, and use of your biometric data for identity verification and security purposes.
About Our Work: We are GDIT. A global technology and professional services company that delivers technology solutions and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense and intelligence community. Our 26,000 experts extract the power of technology to create immediate value and deliver solutions at the edge of innovation. We operate across 50+ countries worldwide, offering leading mission-ready capabilities in AI, cloud, cyber and software development.
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Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans
From SkillBridge Fellows's careers page (Workday), checked 4 Nov 2026.
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Posted 4 Nov 2026 · checked 4 Nov 2026 · Report this job