Kathleen A. Klatte - Jobs in the U.S. Space Force

Alan Shepard was the first American in space. Anyone with the "right stuff to follow in his footsteps can find an exciting career in the U.S. Space Force.

The Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) was established in 1982. It was headquartered at Peterson AFB in Colorado. AFSPC had command and control of all Department of Defense satellites. In addition, it monitored radar and satellite early warning systems in case of a long-range missile attack.

In 1991, AFSPC provided support for other branches of the military involved in Operation Desert Storm. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, AFSPC provided intelligence and other data to aid in troop deployments and attack plans. Satellites were used to gather weather information and topographical data to help determine the best timing and placement of ground troops and assets. Keyhole satellite images were also used to see where enemy troops and weapons were placed.

AFSPCs scope expanded to include cyberspace in 2005. The military has always required security in its communications. Battle plans, troop movements, and state secrets have always needed to be protected. However, now the orderly function of civilian society also depends on cybersecurity. Banking, communications, and daily commercial activity all rely on satellites and the internet.

As of 2019, the AFSpC has become the core of the new U.S. Space Force. Its mission is to protect and defend U.S. interests in both space and cyberspace.

The United States Space Force (USSF) is the newest branch of the armed services. It was formed on December 20, 2019, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act and was signed into law by President Donald Trump. It is the first new branch of the armed forces to be established in 73 years. Many young people have big dreams of working in the United States space program. Many also feel a call to protect and defend their country. For these young people, the USSF is a dream come true.

The first chief of space operations was General Jay Raymond. He was appointed by the president. The first senior enlisted adviser was Chief Master Sergeant Roger Towberman. The USSF is headquartered in the Pentagon, along with the other branches of the armed forces. When the USSF was established, some air force basesinduding Vandenberg Air Force Basewere redesignated as Space Command Bases. The USSF was given an operating budget of about $17 billion.

Each branch of the U.S. armed forces has its own distinctive symbol. The symbol of the USSF is called the Delta. It is a design that looks something like an arrowhead. The outer edge is silver, symbolizing protection. The inside is black to symbolize space. Two spires represent a rocket launching. Four segments symbolize the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps working together to protect space. In the center is the star Polaris, symbolizing the core values that drive the USSF.

The design for the U.S. Space Force official seal was approved by President Trump in January 2020. The motto of the USSF is Semper Supra, Latin for Always Above. The Delta appears on the USSF flag with the date 2019 in Roman numerals, reflecting the year that the USSF was established.

The USSF was formed from the Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), which was initially tasked with deploying and monitoring satellite activity. Its scope expanded to include command and control of Americas nuclear missile arsenal and cyberspace security. Initially, 16,000 personnel were transferred from the Air Force Space Command to the USSF. The young USSF remains associated with the air force, similar to the Marine Corpss affiliation with the navy.

This is the flag of the United States Space Force. It is dated 2019, the year the USSF was officially established.

For centuries, the United States armed forces have defended the nation with distinction, first on land and sea, and later in the air. Now the United States faces a new challenge-defending U.S. interests in space. Though alien invaders are still firmly in the realm of science fiction, American communications and defense rely on satellites that orbit Earth. Protecting these satellites is a key part of preserving modern society. Think what might happen if there were suddenly no television broadcasts or phone communication. What if there were no GPS navigation systems? What if Wall Streets computer systems stopped working? The chaos would be unimaginable.