AEGIS Tactical Action Officer (TAO) Instructor / Lab Mentor

Training Specialist Senior - AEGIS Tactical Action Officer (TAO) Instructor/Lab Mentor

A U.S. Navy Tactical Action Officer (TAO) Instructor/Lab Mentor is responsible for training, coaching, and evaluating Navy personnel in tactical decision-making, combat-system employment, watchstanding, and operational procedures within simulated and laboratory-based environments. The instructor and mentor prepares personnel to effectively manage complex tactical situations, interpret sensor and combat-system information, coordinate shipboard warfare functions, and make timely decisions in support of mission objectives. The position requires extensive operational experience, strong knowledge of naval warfare and combat-system employment, exceptional communication and leadership skills, and the ability to evaluate decision-making and watchstanding performance in high-tempo, scenario-driven training environments.

HOW A TRAINING SPECIALIST SENIOR WILL MAKE AN IMPACT:

• Plan, coordinate, and conduct advanced tactical training for Navy personnel serving in or preparing for Tactical Action Officer and other warfare watchstations.

• Conduct simulator and laboratory-based training using realistic tactical scenarios designed to evaluate decision-making, situational awareness, watchstanding, communications, and combat-system employment.

• Mentor and coach students through tactical exercises, providing real-time guidance and post-exercise feedback to improve performance.

• Evaluate student performance against established tactical, operational, watchstanding, and qualification standards.

• Train personnel in the interpretation and integration of information from sensors, combat systems, intelligence sources, communications systems, and tactical networks.

• Develop and execute scenarios involving complex, rapidly changing tactical environments requiring prioritization, coordination, and timely decision-making.

• Evaluate students' ability to recognize developing threats, assess tactical situations, establish priorities, and coordinate appropriate responses.

• Provide instruction on command-and-control principles, tactical decision-making, rules and procedures, communications, and warfare-system coordination.

• Assess watch team performance and identify deficiencies in communication, coordination, situational awareness, decision-making, and tactical execution.

• Conduct structured debriefs following training events, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and specific opportunities for improvement.

• Coordinate with instructors, training staff, watchstanders, and command leadership to identify individual and team training requirements.

• Incorporate operational experience, lessons learned, and fleet best practices into training scenarios and instructional material.

• Maintain proficiency in applicable naval warfare doctrine, tactical procedures, combat-system capabilities, and watchstanding requirements.

• Mentor junior Sailors and developing watchstanders in leadership, professional development, tactical proficiency, and Navy standards.

• Support qualification programs by preparing personnel for advanced watchstation qualifications and operational responsibilities.

• Ensure training environments and exercises are conducted safely and in accordance with applicable Navy policies, procedures, and information-security requirements.

• Support command and fleet readiness by developing tactically proficient watch teams capable of operating effectively in complex and high-pressure environments.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED:

• Bachelor's Degree in a related technical discipline, or the equivalent combination of education, technical certifications, training, or work/military experience.

• Seven (7) years of experience with the required system or process as either a maintenance technician manager or operator manager with responsibility for teaching the applicable system or function task to others in a master level training environment.

• Experience as a qualified TAO, Anti-Air Warfare Coordinator, Ballistic Missile Defense Officer, or Combat System Coordinator and requires relevant experience, as Warfare Commander/Coordinator for Air, Surface, Subsurface, Strike, C4I, or Ballistic Missile Defense on an Aegis warship is required.

• Of the seven (7) years, one (1) year of experience as an instructor in a Navy Training Environment, to include curriculum maintenance, writing learning objectives, preparing test items, evaluating instructional materials and the results of instruction and counseling students on academic learning problems including one (1) year relevant experience interfacing with training systems/simulations for effective and correct presentation of learning objectives.

• Experience as a qualified AWCC or a Master/Afloat Training Specialist in support of SCSTC/TACTRAGRU/ATG is a significant plus. Surface Warfare Tactics Instructor AQD is highly preferred. 

• Location - on customer site

• Secret clearance

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE:

• 401K with company match

• Comprehensive health and wellness packages

• Internal mobility team dedicated to helping you own your career

• Professional growth opportunities including paid education and certifications

• Cutting-edge technology you can learn from

• Rest and recharge with paid vacation and holidays

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