LOLE26 Senior OPFOR Advisor, NATO-JFTC

Summary:

Yorktown Systems Group is seeking a qualified LOLE26 Senior OPFOR Advisor to support NATO’s Joint Force Training Center (JFTC) Exercise LOYAL LEDA 2026 (LOLE26). Exercise LOLE26 is a NATO Allied Land Command (LANDCOM) sponsored tactical level Command Post Exercise (CPX) / Computer Assisted Exercise (CAX) Employment Exercise (EMPLOYEX). It will train NRDC-GR as the Primary Training Audience (PTA) in planning and conducting the execution of Land-focused operations, within a joint and multidomain environment. This is a short-term assignment not expected to last more than a total of 26 days over the course of three phases:

• Phase I. 08 – 12 September 2025; Preparation and execution of LOLE26 MEL/MIL Incident Development Workshop; located at the Joint Force Training Centre in Bydgoszcz, Poland (up to 5 man-days).
• Phase II. 12 – 22 January 2026; LOLE26 OPFOR Workshop 2; located at the Joint Force Training Centre in Bydgoszcz, Poland (up to 11 man-days).
• Phase III. 26 February – 12 March 2026; for LOLE26 EXCON Training and E-Block; located at the Joint Force Training Centre in Bydgoszcz, Poland (up to 15 man-days).

Specific duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Bring detailed experience of working at the NATO Joint tactical level.
• Employ detailed understanding and experience of the NATO Exercise Planning Process (EP as per Bi-SC 075-003) and Operational Planning Process (COPD, MC 0133/51) in preparation of NATO exercises.
• Provide Senior Staff Officer (OF-5) level advice to JFTC personnel and assist in the translation of Training Objectives into Operational challenges at the tactical level, they will also assist with exercise content and play with an emphasis on OPFOR planning and execution.
• Provide advice to the JFTC OPFOR team in key EXCON positions to facilitate exercise planning, delivery and synchronisation of effects (thereby supporting consistency in exercise delivery).
• Support OPFOR activities during dynamic OPFOR play and 24/7 exercise execution. Perform the role of the OPFOR referee together with the Senior EXCON Advisor when required.
• Advise and support the conduct of dynamic OPFOR, allowing to execute freedom of manoeuvre.
• Assist the JFTC OPFOR team in analysing the TA’s training objectives (TOs) and set the conditions, from an OPFOR perspective, to meet their training objectives. If required, suggest options to resolve discrepancies with the OPFOR COAs to facilitate the achievement of TO’s.
• Provide understanding of time-space-force effects at scale and how to challenge campaign synchronisation.
• Engage, if required, with the Senior Mentor(s) to coordinate JFTC activities.
• Attend daily coordination meetings in line with the EXCON battle rhythm, providing SME advice, as required.
• Undertake any other duties based on the guidance from the ODE/EXDIR, Deputy EXDIR and Chief EXCON.

Required Qualifications:

• Must have recent (past 4 years) experience of NATO Force Structure (NFS) or NATO Command Structure (NCS) in a J2/Planner and/or in an Opposing Forces role.
• Full understanding of the contemporary threat environment and in-depth knowledge of RUS Doctrine and TTPs of RUS and associated states. This is to be demonstrated through former employment in a suitable position (for example NATO Intel) or through course attendance or OPFOR experience in the planning and execution of NATO exercises.
• Three years within the past eight years of working experience in J2/G2/OPFOR staff element in a NFS/NCS HQ on tactical/operational level, or at JWC/JFTC operating non-linear and/or hybrid OPFOR/SITFOR elements during a NATO exercise.
• In-depth knowledge of NATO 360° MDS and related OPFOR capabilities and doctrine (supporting documentation needs to show participation in NATO exercises with the mentioned scenarios and setup).
• Possesses a minimum of two years within past eight years of working experience in exercise planning process or operational planning process.
• Demonstrate recent experience (past four years) planning and executing Land-Focused OPFOR Operations in a NATO Joint/Multi-domain exercise.
• Have a minimum of two years in the last eight years of experience working as an OPFOR advisor/mentor to a NATO Command Structure or NATO Force Structure HQ operating at the joint level during a NATO exercise.
• Must have previous experience (past four years) in the development and planning of a dynamic OPFOR campaign for a NATO exercise.
• Experience with the STDC & STDU or LOYAL LEDA Exercise series.
• Must adhere to NATO Code of Conduct.
• Must be capable of working as part of a close-knit team.
• Demonstrated proficiency in English as defined in STANAG 6001 (Standardized Linguistic Profile (SLP) 3333 - Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing) or equivalent.

Clearance: Must possess an active NATO or U.S. SECRET or higher security clearance.

Location: NATO Joint Force Training Centre, Bydgoszcz, Poland

Travel: CONUS and OCONUS travel may be required.