The US Space Force’s mission is to protect American space assets. As such, Space Force personnel are adequately compensated for their important mission to protect US space-related infrastructure.
A bit about the importance of America’s satellites
The United States military, commercial industry, and private citizens rely on space-based assets. Industry and society use satellites to relay information to various terrestrial nodes to facilitate communication, store and utilize important information, and perform simple tasks such as GPS navigation.
Within the last 24 years, the US, India, Russia and China have all demonstrated the ability to target and successfully destroy satellites.
According to the Congressional Research Office, the US military operates 246 satellites. These assets are used for targeting, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, observation, relaying secret information, ballistic early warning, and navigation.
Photo: US Space Force
Within the last 24 years, the US, India, Russia, and China have all demonstrated the ability to target and successfully destroy satellites. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist (pun intended) to see that it is now, and will be for the foreseeable future, open season on satellites if a war breaks out on Earth.
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Enter America’s Space Force
Given the reliance on satellites for US military operations, the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act established the Space Force on December 20, 2019. The members of this sixth branch of the US armed forces would henceforth be called “Guardians.” Approximately 4,000 Guardians conduct space operations on six space bases in the continental US alone.
Photo: US Space Force
The motto of the Space Force: Sempra Supra, or Always Above.
As stated by the Congressional Research Office:
“According to Title 10, Section 9081, of the U.S. Code, ‘The Space Force shall be organized, trained, and equipped to…(1) provide freedom of operation for the United States in, from, and to space; (2) conduct space operations; and (3) protect the interests of the United States in space.’”
Regarding the previously mentioned “space operations,” the Space Force conducts space launches, surveillance of the space domain, general satellite operations, satellite defense, and selected missile defense functions.
Photo: US Space Force
Payment and financial incentives for becoming a Space Force Guardian
Enlisted pay
The pay of Specialist-1 (E-1) in the Space Force is $2,017.20 per month, which would bring in a gross yearly pay of $24,206.40. It is highly unlikely for a member of the Space Force to remain an E-1 for over a year.
Photo: US Space Force
E-1 is the most basic Space Force rank, and it is attained upon completion of basic training. Some exceptional recruits graduate from basic training as an E-2 or E-3. However, this would be five or fewer graduates out of a training platoon of 60 to 70.
The highest Space Force rank of Chief Master Sergeant (E-9) earns a basic pay of $6,370.50 per month, which is $76,446 annually. Attaining this rank would take an entire career or over 22 years.
The Command Master Sergeant of the Space Force (E-9) is the most senior enlisted individual in the Space Force.
To view the active duty US military pay scale, click
HERE
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The USSF is a separate branch of the United States military and was established in 2019.
Pay for the officer corps
A newly minted Second Lieutenant (O-1) of the Space Force earns $3,826.20 per month, or a yearly gross income at this rank of $45,914.40. The disparity in pay between an E-1 and an O-1 comes down to education (officers must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree), command authority, and the responsibilities of a leadership role.
Photo: US Air Force | Andy Morataya
Moving up to the top of the Space Force officer pyramid, a four-star general (O-10), the monthly salary is $18,491.70, making a handsome yearly gross income of $221,900.40. Of course, obtaining this rank would also be a career commitment, and the responsibilities are enormous.
Photo: US Space Force
Advancing in rank
Space Force and military personnel must meet specific promotion criteria to proceed to the next rank. This includes time-in-grade requirements and passing promotion boards.
Some examples of advancement for enlisted ranks in the Space Force are as follows:
Sergeant: 484 eligible, 95.66% selected. The average overall score for those selected was 349.8. Selectees’ average time in grade was 1.57 years and time in service was 3.95 years.
Technical Sergeant: 573 eligible, 63.87% selected. The average overall score for those selected was 355.79. Selectees’ average time in grade was 3.7 years and time in service was 8.16 years.
Master Sergeant: 506 eligible, 21.34% selected. The average overall score for those selected was 375.75. Selectees’ average time in grade was 4.07 years and time in service was 12.7 years.
Photo: US Space Force
Moving from a First Lieutenant (O-2) to a Captain (O-3) generally requires years of service and demonstrating competence and leadership abilities.
Importantly, educational and training requirements must also be fulfilled. For example, earning a Master’s degree is considered a major asset when being considered for promotion to mid-level officer ranks (Major and Lieutenant Colonel) in the Space Force.
The Space Force Selective Retention Bonus (SRB)
This reenlistment bonus maxes out at $180,000 with a career cap of $360,000. The SRB applies to specific Guardians with specialized skills, according to the Air Force Times:
“The SRB program serves as a retention tool, targeting experienced enlisted personnel in critical career fields, particularly those with lower manning or retention rates,” …“Additionally, specialties involving extensive initial skills training and stringent qualification requirements are considered.”
Photo: US Department of Defense
The Space Force career fields that are eligible for the SRB are as follows:
Cyber operations Defense cyber operations Cyber operations Network operations Radiofrequency operations Systems operations All source analyst Cryptologic analyst Space systems operations
Photo: US Space Force
Compensating the Guardians
As we have seen, the space domain is crucial to US military operational capabilities. The Space Force was created to sustain and protect America’s space-based infrastructure against hostile foreign states and entities. This task is as daunting as it is complex. America’s competitors are clearly aware of the US military’s dependence upon its satellite constellations for even the most mundane operations.
It is of great importance to support the Space Force in its mission to ensure that the US military and Defense Department have access to the crucial space-based assets necessary for its global mission.
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