Space Force is Coming, But What Exactly is Space Force?

The White House and House Democrats were in agreement for a rare moment this week, striking a deal that allows for the creation of President Trump's so-called Space Force in exchange for a new parental leave policy for government workers.

A New Branch of the American Armed Forces

A compromise was made, as Democrats and White House officials finally resolve the issue surrounding Space Force, and the unit has been approved, in exchange for an expansion on paid parental leave. The new bill establishes policy that allows federal workers up to 12 weeks off.

Many are thrilled and excited for the Space Force, but it has had its fair shares of problems already, including ones related to cost, size, structure, as well as the fact that it’s something new and that generally always comes with complications.

The Space Force itself would be a branch of the Air Force, one used to regain America’s lead in space, as Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett has said before and reiterated on a panel at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley.

Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL), a Space Force advocate before Trump picked the matter up, is quite happy to see it become a reality, although he told the panel he “will feel a lot better in about three or four years.”

Rogers believes the Air Force should not hold out in regards to cost, with many estimates being between $500 million and $2 billion, in order to be done properly. Rogers and Barrett are on agreement on several points, including one that the Space Force should not have bureaucracy, but should a branch of the military.

Another important part that was commented on by several Air Force officials, was that the Space Force would have to be effective from day one to justify its existence.

Air Staff strategist Maj. Gen. Clinton Crosier, who is also in charge of planning the transition and options for the Space Force’s structure, has said that the most important part is focusing entirely on space and finding people who think about space:

“What are the things we need to do to create a culture, an ethos, a structure of people that spend every day thinking about space?” he said.

“We don’t need to duplicate and replicate all the infrastructure of the Air Force like personnel processes and base operating functions. Let’s focus on where we’re different,” he added.

In short, not much is known about the Space Force yet, only time will tell us how it’ll all work and what the functions will be, so we just have to wait and see whether or not predictions that this would be Trump’s “Starship Troopers,” come out true or not.