Special Operations Forces (SOF) Planner

About the Role

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Culmen International is seeking a Special Operations Forces (SOF) Planner to support SOCEUR HQ in Stuttgart, Germany. In this role, you will provide commanders with unique capabilities to advance national objectives across the competition continuum—from cooperation through competition to armed conflict.

Special operations require a deep understanding of the operational environment, a human‑centric approach, and the integration of information. As a SOF Planner, you will be critical to applying special operations operational design methodology to plan, synchronize, and execute these complex activities.

What You’ll Do in Your New Role

Based in‑person at Patch Barracks, you will provide expert planning and advisory support to a Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF), Theater Special Operations Command (TSOC), or other joint force command elements.

You are responsible for developing plans and orders that apply SOF capabilities to solve complex problems. This involves leading planning efforts using special operations operational design methodology, developing courses of action (COAs), and integrating SOF with conventional forces, interagency partners, and partner nations.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

• Special Operations Planning: Employ operational design methodology to frame complex problems and lead deliberate and crisis action planning.
• Plan & Order Development: Write comprehensive, doctrinally sound OPLANs, OPORDs, and FRAGORDs, including all relevant annexes.
• Support to Resistance (STR): Develop plans to build partner resilience against aggression across the competition continuum.
• Joint Force Integration: Coordinate and deconflict SOF plans with conventional components, including the JAOC via the Special Operations Liaison Element (SOLE).
• Information Integration: Adopt a human‑centric perspective to influence relevant actors and populations.
• Targeting & Coordination: Support the joint targeting cycle and liaise with U.S. government agencies and partner nations.
• Force Sustainment: Determine SOF‑specific resource requirements and manage the TPFDD process.

Required Qualifications

The ideal candidate must be a subject matter expert in joint doctrine with a proven track record of planning at the operational level.

• Primary Requirement: Extensive knowledge of joint doctrine, specifically JP 3‑ ) and JP 5‑0 (Joint Operation Planning).
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrated experience applying special operations operational design methodology.
• Military Experience: Significant experience serving on a joint staff and within SOF organizations from the tactical to the operational level.
• Communication: Proven ability to develop and write high‑level military operational plans and orders.
• Security Clearance: Must hold an active TOP SECRET security clearance with SCI eligibility.

TESA & SOFA Requirements

To qualify for Technical Expert Status Accreditation (TESA) under the US‑Germany Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

• Bachelor’s Degree + 3 years of specialized experience.
• Associate’s Degree + 7 years of specialized experience.
• Major Certification (e.g., CompTIA Security+, CASP) + 7 years of specialized experience.
• No Degree + 11 years of specialized experience.

Note: Per SOFA regulations, applicants must be U.S. Citizens and cannot be "ordinarily resident" in Germany (i.e., you cannot have established deep local ties such as owning German property or being married to a German national).

About the Company

Culmen International is committed to enhancing international safety and security, strengthening homeland defense, advancing humanitarian missions, and optimizing government operations. With experience in over 150 countries, Culmen supports our clients to accomplish critical missions in challenging environments.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At Culmen International, we are committed to creating and sustaining a workplace that upholds the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). We believe in the importance of fair treatment and equal access to opportunities for all employees and applicants. Our commitment to these principles is unwavering across all our operations worldwide.