Special Operations Forces; SOF Planner

Overview

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 apply special operations operational design methodology to plan, synchronize, and execute complex activities.

This position is in-person at Patch Barracks, providing 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 the SOF operational design methodology, developing courses of action (COAs), and integrating SOF with conventional forces, interagency partners, and partner nations.

• 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.

• Primary Requirement:
  Extensive knowledge of joint doctrine, specifically JP 3-05 (2025) and JP 5-0 (Joint Operation Planning).
• Technical Expertise:
  Demonstrated experience applying SOF operational design methodology.
• Military
  
  Experience:
  
  Significant experience serving on a joint staff and within SOF organizations from tactical to operational levels.
• Communication:
  Proven ability to develop and write high-level military operational plans and orders.
• Security Clearance:
  Active TOP SECRET clearance with SCI eligibility.

• 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 (e.g., cannot own German property or be married to a German national).

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 clients to accomplish critical missions in challenging environments.

To learn more about Culmen International, please visit

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