Lawmaker Urges Expansion of Space Force to Address Threats from China and Russia

Key Takeaways

Rep. Mike Rogers advocates for expanding the Space Force to address rising threats from China and Russia.
The emphasis on operational roles in the Space Force may undermine its necessary technical and acquisition capabilities.
Lawmakers are seeking greater integration between acquisition and operational communities within the Space Force.

Growing Needs for the Space Force

The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., emphasized the need for the Space Force to expand in response to increasing global threats, particularly from China and Russia. Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, Rogers highlighted the evolution of the Space Force since its establishment five years ago. Initially envisioned as a small and agile entity, the current imperative is for it to grow to effectively fulfill national security expectations.

While Rogers did not specify the exact nature or scale of the proposed expansion, he clarified that he was not advocating for a major increase in overhead but emphasized the necessity of more personnel and the right individuals to execute its mission. The congressman suggested that Congress should approve additional positions for general officers and stressed that the Air Force and defense secretary should transfer existing billets to the Space Force.

In addition to manpower growth, Rogers called for enhanced developmental opportunities for “guardians,” particularly in technical and acquisition roles. He, alongside committee Ranking Member Adam Smith, D-Wash., expressed concerns in a letter to Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman. The letter warned that placing undue focus on the operational community could compromise critical areas such as acquisition, training, and testing.

Rogers and Smith argued that a balanced approach is essential for developing a new generation of space warfighters and ensuring that the Space Force possesses the skills and workforce needed for future challenges. They pointed out the risk of an operational-centric model negatively impacting various core functions as they look ahead to 2030 and beyond.

The Space Force has been working in recent years to improve alignment between its acquisition and operational components. A pilot program announced by Saltzman aims to create integrated Mission Deltas, fostering more cohesive responsibility and resource management in key areas. This initiative has been regarded positively so far, with plans to extend it into additional mission categories.

In their correspondence, Rogers and Smith sought more information regarding staffing plans for these integrated Mission Deltas, specifically regarding how acquisition personnel will be included in the future. They also requested data about the Space Force’s officer selection processes from 2021 to 2024 and insight into the development of acquisition training personnel through its force generation model, known as SPAFORGEN.

Rogers articulated broader concerns about a potential overemphasis on operational roles, linking it to a trend observed in the Air Force where fighter pilots tend to receive preferential promotion. He underscored the necessity for the Space Force to be managed by individuals representing diverse career fields, stating that a deep understanding of technology is crucial for its success. “The Space Force has to be led by more than just operators,” he affirmed, underscoring the equal importance of all career service contributions, including those of technical, intelligence, and cyber professionals.

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