#realspaceforce

FIRST LOOK: Steve Carell is the head of Space Force, the newly formed sixth branch of the US Armed Forces.

On the surface, President Trump’s proposal for a “Space Force” seems delusional and motivated by wishful thinking.  The United States has the most powerful military compared to the other nations of the world and is one of only 13 countries with a space program.  Stepping away from the partisan reasons for a space force; one can make a case that we should prepare for its organization.  The purpose of this blog and document is to outline in broad strokes how the organization of a space force might happen.

The Rationale

The reason to have a space force is threefold.

The United States, China, and increasingly Russia are jockeying to control the satellites in orbit. Anti-satellite technologies are proliferating along with missile and laser technologies which could disable GPS and spy satellites.  

Commercial interests in tourism and telecommunication depend on open lanes in space.  Any threat to safe passage into orbit or beyond should be considered an act of war.

Finally, since the launch of Sputnik, near earth orbit have become crowded with active and deactivated satellites.  The deactivated satellites are junk which creates a hazard for other satellites to travel and could create a cascading effect of debris which will make the journey into space more hazardous.  

Mission

For these three reasons, it may become necessary to train a space force. The mission for such a force is as follows.

Organize, train and equip its members to build launch and operate satellites and other capabilities that support U.S. Government activities on Earth.  

To prepare those satellites when future conflict eventually extends its battlefields into space.

Seize, occupy and defend all orbital and extra-planetary stations from hostile forces.

Facilitate movement and support of friendly forces while impeding enemy forces outside of earth atmosphere.

Command and Control

The United States Space Force as a combat unit should use a joint command under the Joint Chiefs of Staff in an arrangement similar to the United States Special Operations Command.  The reasoning for this structure is the initial members of the Space force will consist of existing members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.

If necessary, when the Space Force grows larger than one combat brigade it shall be transferred to the United States Air Force under the command of the Chief of Staff Air Force. The civilian leader of this new organization will be the Secretary of the Air Force who will report to the Secretary of Defense.  The Space Force will then operate as the United States Marine Corps does with United States Navy.  The Air Force will provide logistical and medical support to the Space Force just as the Navy does with the Marine Corps.

Designation

Members of the United States Space Force, U.S.S.F shall be known as troopers.

Requirements

All troopers of the U.S.S.F shall be members of the armed forces; Army, Navy Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.  

Troopers shall be enlisted of pay grade of E-3 or higher.  Officers of grade O-1 or higher shall be considered for membership in command roles. Members of the Military Academies; Army, Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard may train to become officers in the U.S.S.F.

Troopers should come from two major backgrounds

Combat Engineering

U.S. Army Combat Engineers

U.S. Navy Combat Battalions

U.S. Marine Corps Combat Engineers

U.S. Air Force Red Horse Units.

Aerospace

Flight mechanics from all branches

Pilots from all branches

Ordinance specialists with a concentration on missile ordinance specialists.

All military people seeking transfer to the U.S.S.F should have completed their basic military training and advanced training in their military specialty.  Potential transfers should also be in the upper third of their training cohort. Recruits to the U.S.S.F should also have at least 12 months experience in their military specialty.  Preference will be to those who have served in an active combat zone.

Recruits must complete the NASA Astronaut Training Program which is a two-year program.  Waivers to members of the military who have already completed the program shall be granted.

Once the Troopers are “Space Ready,” they will receive additional training to prepare for their role as troopers.  The cadre of leadership from the initial officer corps of the U.S.S.F. shall develop subsequent training with the permission of the Joint Chief of Staff. The training shall include; zero-g combat, satellite demolition and repair, construction of environments in orbit or on celestial bodies, and rescue operations.

Uniform

Troopers will wear jumpsuits similar to NASA Astronauts or the U.S. Navy submarine force for battle dress uniforms.  Dress and service uniforms will reflect their service branch and rank.

The future uniform design shall be at the discretion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the officer corps of the U.S.S.F.  

Insignia

The U.S.S.F symbol will be a chariot pulled by five Pegasus.  Each mythical horse is representing the five armed forces which created the U.S.S.F.  

Foreign Nationals

Members of the NATO alliance and other nations designated by Congress may join the U.S.S.F. The process is similar to foreign nationals joining the other branches of the armed forces.  Foreign nations who successfully serve in the U.S.S.F after fifteen years and receive an honorable discharge shall qualify for an offer of U.S. Citizenship.

Legal Considerations

The Geneva Convention governs the conduct of the U.S.S.F and violation of the convention make members of the U.S.S.F libel to International War Crimes jurisdiction.  

The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 has several provision which covers the U.S.S.F particularly.

-Article II “The Moon and other celestial bodies…” are not subject to national sovereignty.  The U.S.S.F. will protect U.S. citizens in danger so if a research station, satellite or, colony is threatened it shall act as a rescue and defense force.  It is keeping with maritime law dating back to the age of sail.  

-Article IV is the prohibition of nuclear weapons and other “…weapons of mass destruction,” in orbit on or celestial bodies.  The use of weapons mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies should nullify the space treaty, and the U.S.S.F. is expressly prohibited from using any nuclear weapon or weapon of mass destruction in its operations.

Creation

The U.S.S.F requires an Act of Congress similar to the National Security Act of 1947 or the Homeland Security Act of 2002.