Subject Matter Expert/Instructor (USAFA)
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Position Type: Temporary / Event-Specific 1099 Independent Contractor
Assignment: Fall 2026 Validation Exercise (VALEX)
Projected Assignment Period: September 8–21, 2026
Compensation: $425–$475 per day, based on experience and qualifications
Travel: Required for non-local personnel
About the Role:
Leading Solutions is seeking experienced Subject Matter Experts/Instructors (SME/Is) to support the Fall 2026 Validation Exercise (VALEX) at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
This is a temporary, event-specific assignment supporting a large-scale military training exercise involving approximately 4,200 USAFA cadets across multiple training areas. Selected SME/Is will provide instructional, facilitation, observation, evaluation support, exercise-control, and specialized warfighter expertise under the direction of USAFA personnel and the Leading Solutions project team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Participate in all required pre-event onboarding, orientation, training, rehearsal, and evaluator preparation activities.
- Review and become familiar with approved curriculum, facilitator guides, scenarios, training products, evaluation criteria, communications procedures, and safety requirements.
- Provide military instruction, coaching, facilitation, observation, and exercise support in accordance with Government-approved training plans.
- Support training lanes through scenario setup, lane facilitation, role-player/control functions, delivery of approved exercise injects, communications support, and lane reset or recovery activities.
- Provide subject matter expertise within one or more warfighting functional areas, including:
- Command and Control (C2)
- Intelligence
- Information / Operations Security (OPSEC)
- Fires
- Movement and Maneuver
- Protection
- Sustainment
- Support adjacent functional areas or changing assignments as exercise requirements evolve.
- Observe and document cadet or team performance using Government-approved evaluation rubrics, observation logs, digital forms, run cards, and After Action Review (AAR) processes.
- Provide timely and accurate observations and AAR input through the designated reporting chain.
- Participate in synchronization meetings, briefings, rehearsals, and AARs.
- Communicate observations regarding training execution, cadet performance, safety, resources, and potential improvements.
- Follow established communications procedures, including approved radio and PACE protocols.
- Identify and promptly report safety hazards, medical concerns, training deviations, or conditions requiring training to stop.
- Maintain professional contractor conduct and appropriate boundaries when interacting with USAFA cadets.
- Comply with required field attire, PPE, photography restrictions, safety procedures, and USAFA standards of conduct.
- Perform other event-related duties within the scope of the assigned SME/Instructor role.
Required Qualifications:
- 6+ years of relevant military operational and/or instructional experience.
- Demonstrated expertise in at least one applicable warfighting functional area, including:
- Command and Control
- Intelligence
- Information / OPSEC
- Fires
- Movement and Maneuver
- Protection
- Sustainment
- Experience delivering, facilitating, evaluating, or supporting military training in a field, exercise, simulation, or classroom environment.
- Ability to follow established Programs of Instruction (POIs), facilitator guides, scenarios, training plans, and evaluation criteria.
- Ability to accurately document observations and provide required reporting within established timelines.
- Strong communication, professional judgment, and situational awareness.
- Demonstrated commitment to safety and adherence to established safety procedures.
- Ability to work effectively in high-tempo environments and under changing exercise requirements.
- Ability to work outdoors and in field conditions for extended periods.
- Availability to complete required preparation and training activities prior to the VALEX exercise.
- Availability for the projected assignment period of approximately September 8–21, 2026.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior experience as a military instructor, evaluator, Observer/Controller-Trainer (OC/T), exercise controller, training facilitator, or training lane lead.
- Previous experience supporting large-scale military exercises.
- Experience leading or coordinating instructors, evaluators, training personnel, or exercise support teams.
- Experience with:
- Operations Orders (OPORDs)
- Fragmentary Orders (FRAGOs)
- PACE planning
- Tactical reporting
- Post-mission debriefs
- Fieldcraft
- Structured AARs
- Experience supporting cadet, pre-commissioning, service academy, ROTC, or junior-leader development programs.
- Familiarity with digital assessment, learning management, or mobile data-capture systems.
- Prior experience serving in a leadership capacity within a military training or exercise environment.
Compensation & Engagement:
This is an event-specific 1099 independent contractor engagement with a tiered daily compensation structure.
Selected SME/Instructors will be placed into one of three compensation tiers based on their relevant military experience, instructional background, subject matter expertise, qualifications, and recency of experience:
- $475/Day — Tier 1
- Candidates with the strongest overall qualifications, including extensive and highly relevant military operational and/or instructional experience, significant subject matter expertise, and highly relevant or recent experience.
- $450/Day — Tier 2
- Candidates who meet the core qualifications and demonstrate strong relevant military, instructional, or exercise experience, but have somewhat less depth, specialization, or recency than Tier 1 candidates.
- $425/Day — Tier 3
- Candidates who meet the required qualifications but have comparatively less recent or directly relevant experience within the applicable warfighting or instructional areas.
Other Qualifications:
- Frequent use of hands and arms; prolonged sitting may be required.
- Specific vision abilities: close vision, color vision, and focus adjustment.
- Ability to interpret instructions involving multiple abstract and concrete variables.
Leading Solutions is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to ensuring a workplace free of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, military or veteran status, and any other basis protected by applicable law.
Leading Solutions is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) headquartered in Kissimmee, Florida. The Company provides professional, technical, administrative, and healthcare services to Government and commercial clients. Leading Solutions customer- centric foundation ensures that our leadership and employees meet customer challenges and build trusting partnerships that lay the groundwork for success.