Over 80 U.S. Space Force officers recently completed the service’s first year-long officer training course. This intensive program focuses on space operations, cyber warfare, and intelligence, skills deemed crucial in the face of growing challenges from China and Russia.
“This is a brand-new approach for us,” Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said during the August 28th graduation ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. “It’s an important pivot from the old days. The approach is based on the notion that to lead in the service, in the service of the contested space domain, officers must fundamentally understand space, cyber and intelligence operations,” Saltzman added, referencing his prepared remarks.
The program signifies a significant shift for the Space Force, established in 2019. Under Gen. Saltzman, the service is evolving from its origins within the U.S. Air Force, adapting to a more combative role against sophisticated adversaries. The new training directly addresses “great power competition,” the Pentagon's term for the rivalry with China and Russia for global dominance. This competition in space manifests through efforts to undermine satellites and networks vital to both military and civilian life.
Unlike previous training focused on narrow technical fields, the new program integrates space operations, intelligence analysis, cyber warfare, and acquisitions. This holistic approach is necessary given the growing vulnerability of space-based assets, crucial for communications and missile warning systems. The graduates, from the Air Force Academy and ROTC programs, underwent immersive experiences in various disciplines.
With a relatively small officer corps, the Space Force prioritizes versatility. “Officers are the Space Force’s commanders, leaders, planners, and strategists,” Saltzman told the graduates. “I need you to be the big-picture, multi-disciplinary thinkers. Your job is to lead the units that will out-wit and out-maneuver our thinking adversaries.”