Professional Military Education Analyst (SME)

About the role

Team CATHEXIS is seeking a Professional Military Education Analyst (SME) to provide senior‑level subject matter and analytical support to the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Strategic Readiness (DASW(SR)). The analyst will work independently on high‑visibility, mission‑critical aspects of the Senior Service College (SSC) Task Force’s review of the SSC Fellowship Program, curricula, and the broader Professional Military Education (PME) portfolio. This full‑time position is located onsite daily at the Pentagon in Arlington, VA.

Responsibilities

• Conduct policy research, analysis, and interpretation to inform SSC Task Force decision‑making and align with the National Defense Strategy (NDS).
• Lead the review and revision of Outcomes Based Military Education (OBME) Policy and Procedures and DoDI 1322.35, drafting policy language and recommendations.
• Analyze NDAA Title 10 education provisions and other statutory/regulatory requirements to assess SSC program compliance and advise on policy.
• Support the SSC Degree‑Granting Cost‑Benefit Analysis by evaluating policy, statutory, and governance considerations.
• Develop policy positions and briefing materials for the SSC Fellowship Program grading methodology and evaluate Fellowship Request for Program Information (RPI) submissions.
• Draft policy memoranda, decision papers, white papers, and issue papers for DASW(SR) and OUSW(P&R) leadership review.
• Support SSC Objectives Evaluation, Faculty Composition Analysis, Governing Body Assessment, and Curriculum and Warfighting Readiness Assessment through policy and governance analysis.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and staffing of policy products across Military Services, Joint Staff, and other DoD stakeholders.
• Prepare policy‑focused inputs for annual reports (including the NDAA 557 Report), GAO report responses, stakeholder reports, and leadership reports to OUSW(P&R), SECWAR, and Congress.
• Support Warfighter Education Coordination Council (WECC) and Military Education Coordination Council (MECC) engagements with analysis, briefing materials, and summaries of findings.
• Track legislative, regulatory, and DoD policy developments relevant to military education and SSC governance, assessing implications for the Task Force.
• Inform development of a dashboard to track Individual Learning Records (ILR) and Career Education Records (CER), ensuring policy alignment and compatibility with military personnel systems.

Requirements

• Active Secret DoD clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, International Relations, National Security Studies, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• Minimum of eight years of professional experience in policy analysis, policy development, or program evaluation, including experience supporting government or military leadership.
• Ability to perform all functional duties independently on high‑visibility or mission‑critical program aspects.
• Strong analytical and writing skills; ability to translate complex policy, statutory, and regulatory issues into clear recommendations for senior leadership.
• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, PowerPoint), SharePoint, and standard research and analysis tools.
• U.S. citizenship required to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Desired Skills

• Master’s degree in a related policy field.
• Experience supporting OUSW(P&R), DASW(SR), the Joint Staff, or other senior DoD leadership.
• Familiarity with DoDI 1322.35, OBME requirements, and NDAA Title 10 education provisions.
• Experience drafting DoD policy issuances, decision memos, or Congressional testimony/report inputs.
• Background in military personnel/manpower policy or professional military education (PME) governance.
• Experience supporting the military, Veterans Administration, or prior military service.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package.
• Performance bonuses.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan (Traditional and Roth).
• Life insurance (basic, voluntary & AD&D).
• Paid time off plus 11 federal holidays.
• Parental leave.
• Commuter benefits.
• Short‑term and long‑term disability coverage.
• Training & development programs.
• Wellness program.
• Community outreach initiatives.

Pay

Annual salary range: $150,000 – $180,000 (final offer considers location, qualifications, experience, and skills).