DoD Civilian Careers’ Post

Last week a very thoughtful young member of the Arlington JROTC detachment asked, “What should we tell people who ask us whether the Space Force is a real thing?”… It’s a query which has so much meaning on so many fronts and speaks to a concern I have that, as we are approaching our 4th anniversary in December, we are still suffering from a tad bit of an identity crisis. There are those who want to define the Space Force as a vanity project of the previous administration. Others who equate it with a sitcom or call it a joke. There’s some who only see bureaucratic replication and wasted tax dollars and quite a few who get it mixed up with Space Command. And perhaps there’s still a significant number of Americans who have no idea that there’s even a “new” military service branch focusing on space security. An earlier definition of the Space Force read, “The USSF is a military service that organizes, trains, and equips forces in order to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities to the joint force. USSF responsibilities include developing military space professionals, acquiring military space systems, maturing the military doctrine for space power, and organizing space forces to present to our Combatant Commands.” The new Space Force mission released in September zeroes in to succinctly state that the Space Force’s role is to “Secure our Nation’s interests in, from, and to space.” But we are more than just a mission statement… more than the summation of a series of words that attempt to explain and define what we do. Aside of protecting satellites and assisting launches we are a community. And no matter our specific job duties, no matter whether we are enlisted, officer, or civilian, a direct government hire or a contractor, or if we are just starting out in our careers or have decades of experience, we are all committed to ensuring that our nation’s security is guarded and enhanced in the growing arena of space competition. I’m no public relations expert but I believe there’s more to do to counter both the negativity and the passivity of the general populace to assist in projecting the importance of the Space Force. Our communications need to be strategic but also can be conducted at a very personal level. And all Guardians have this responsibility to inform the public of the real threats that we work to counter every day. Yes, we are real, and without being alarmist let’s share that story. 

United States Department of Defense says it's NOT considering a new Cyber Force 🫡⚡💻 https://lnkd.in/eFAxacMe — but DOD is generating options to solve for Cyber Service problems: man, train, equip, retain....🤔 US Army = 🪖 US Navy = 🚢🌊 United States Air Force = 😎✈ United States Space Force = 🚀 United States Marine Corps = 💪 ? = 🫡⚡💻 Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy - Dr. John Plumb ..."And so we have been slowly working through various options, and the question is, like, how much would need to change? What should you look at? They have asked us to specifically look at a cyber service, for example. But I really think, like, what are we after for readiness? How can we make readiness better? We have this issue where it takes us a long time to train operators, and then they time out. So how can we get more return on that training investment? And also, how can we make sure that they aren't just languishing in quals because one magical thing didn't happen the day they were on watch?" https://lnkd.in/ebjnP9nZ Space Force was carved out of the Air Force to solve for a perceived lack of focus on space. None of the Services have a vested interest diverting resources from their core competency to cyber. Divisions -vs- Cyber Subs -vs- Cyber Jets -vs- Cyber Satellites -vs- Cyber Amphibious / Distributed / Littoral / HIMARS? -vs- Cyber

An interesting and exciting development for the USAF. I'd imagine the USAF has either conducted or still conducting a thorough assessment of the USAF's current cyber and IT capabilities and identification of specific areas where Warrant Officers could make a valuable contribution. Aside from the obvious "WOBC" curriculum development(s) (hopefully containing likely subjects such as Advanced Cyber Warfare Tactics, IT Infrastructure Management, Integration of Emerging Technologies, etc.), a compelling facet will be the integration of the USAF Warrant Officers into the existing rank structure, impacts on career progression for both enlisted and officer ranks, and selection criteria... Good Luck USAF - a good move, and a good selection of the first USAF career fields to re-introduce Warrant Officers to the USAF after almost 45 years.

Outpacing adversary threats will require accelerating delivery of U.S. space capabilities. However, delivering end‐to‐end capability requires knitting together multiple elements, the development and fielding of which are managed not just by the DAF but also by other military departments and federal agencies. New RAND research explores opportunities for the USSF to facilitate the integration and synchronization of space acquisition and fielding to support the timely delivery of end-to-end space capabilities to the Joint Force. https://lnkd.in/euQ-YuVj

The United States Marine Corps is taking significant steps to enhance their capabilities in modern warfare by accelerating the fielding of new technology. With growing threats from global adversaries, the Marine Corps recognizes the need to expedite the deployment of advanced technologies. The Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA) is playing a vital role in supporting this initiative. MCTSSA is providing technical support and expertise to experiment with new technologies and concepts for joint all-domain command-and-control operations. To further facilitate this process, MCTSSA has been designated as the Marine Corps' first Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratory. This designation grants them greater flexibility and authority in operations, facilities management, and personnel decisions. It allows MCTSSA to work closely with Marines and sailors worldwide, ensuring that the technologies being developed meet their needs and feedback. One of the key goals of this accelerated technology fielding is to deliver capabilities to the warfighter more quickly and effectively. MCTSSA is actively engaged in testing and evaluating new technologies, collaborating with industry partners, and working closely with operational units to ensure seamless integration and interoperability. The Marine Corps' focus on accelerating technology fielding demonstrates their commitment to staying ahead of evolving threats and providing their personnel with the most advanced tools and capabilities. This development is not only crucial for their operational success but also highlights the Marine Corps' dedication to innovation and modernization in the defense industry. #USMarines #MilitaryTechnology #Innovation #ModernWarfare #DefenseIndustry #MarineCorps #TechnologyAdvancement

This week, CSPS launched the new debate series highlighting national security space debates with arguments from two analysts external to The Aerospace Corporation. For the next edition, Paula Thornhill and Charles Galbreath debate how the concept of "warfighter" should fit into United States Space Force culture. Thornhill argues that argues that the mission of the Space Force does not align with the long-standing paradigm defining warfighters by their direct role in organized violence. Alternatively, Galbreath suggests that Guardians are warfighters because they conduct operations and provide services critical to the U.S. military under an increasing range of threats. 📰 Read the full paper and learn more about the debate series here: https://lnkd.in/e5msrZzN In case you missed the first debate on the defense utility of cislunar space, you can read it here: https://lnkd.in/eRNqkTX3 #USSF #SpacePolicy #SpaceForce

After years of asserting that it wants to leverage advancements in commercial space technology, the Pentagon has released a new strategy that aims to lower any barriers that prevent the department from integrating commercial capabilities into military operations. The Department of Defense on Tuesday published its first-ever Commercial Space Integration Strategy, which calls on the department to develop mechanisms — including contracts and other agreements — that will allow for commercial-built space solutions to be used for some operations. The strategy also addresses financial and security risks that commercial companies may face when supporting the Pentagon, and potentially opens the door for the department to provide financial and military protections if necessary. https://lnkd.in/eUDkdC7K

After years of asserting that it wants to leverage advancements in commercial space technology, the Pentagon has released a new strategy that aims to lower any barriers that prevent the department from integrating commercial capabilities into military operations. The Department of Defense on Tuesday published its first-ever Commercial Space Integration Strategy, which calls on the department to develop mechanisms — including contracts and other agreements — that will allow for commercial-built space solutions to be used for some operations. The strategy also addresses financial and security risks that commercial companies may face when supporting the Pentagon, and potentially opens the door for the department to provide financial and military protections if necessary. https://lnkd.in/eQjniz49

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro announced the establishment of the Disruptive Capabilities Office (DCO) during the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Centennial Exhibition. Similar to many of the other initiatives, it aims to expedite the delivery of innovative warfighting solutions, capitalizing on the swift pace of tech evolution. DCO's strengths lies in its collaboration with the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab's RCO, Replicator Initiative, as well as Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) underscores a commitment to joint defense efforts and large-scale capability enhancement. Challenges are inevitable and with so many other organizations establishing new efforts, the question will continue to circle back to communication. BlackHays Group #innovation, #defense, #navy