When I still think of the branches of military service, my brain plays a Department of Defense recruiting commercial from the early ’80s: “Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines — It’s a Great Place to Start!” After recruiting efforts like these, I always knew my first job out of high school or college would be in the military. I think it is because of this that I leave out the Coast Guard (even though they are part of the Department of Homeland Security) and now the Space Force from my thought process. Here is a question from an active-duty Air Force member considering a move to the Space Force:
Hey Stew. I noticed there isn’t much information in your fitness column about Space Force. I have found the job challenging and high-stress, and the need for physical fitness testing remains, as in other branches. As a former Air Force enlisted looking to transfer into the Space Force officer program, do you have any advice? Thanks JO
You are correct. For the reasons above, the Space Force has not been on my radar until now. After the first few years of transition, during which it developed its own fitness test and standards, it is time to learn more about the Space Force. For some background information, the Space Force began with roughly 15,000 officers, enlisted airmen and civilian personnel of the Air Force Space Command to create the new branch of service.
Read More: ASVAB Scores and Space Force Job Qualifications
The U.S. Space Force (USSF) is the smallest branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, with 10,400 uniformed guardians and about 5,000 civilian employees. Unlike other military branches that maintain large ground or sea forces numbering in the hundreds of thousands, the Space Force relies on a small but highly technical workforce, backed by civilian experts and newly integrated part-time personnel.
The officers and enlisted guardians are responsible for command and advanced engineering of high-level flight and orbital satellite operations among other responsibilities. The civilians are highly technical engineers, data analysts and procurement specialists who work to support the overall missions.
Transferring from Another Branch of Service to the Space Force
Leaving the Air Force and joining the Space Force requires applying through official intra-service or interservice transfer windows, meeting specific space-related career field needs and technical requirements. There are transfer boards, and your current chain of command support will go a long way to assisting with the transfer. You can find the application process and details you need on the USSF Transfer Programs page. My advice is to check the service’s manning shortfalls and who it is actively trying to recruit to support the future of the Space Force.
Job Manning and Critical Shortages
While the Space Force has successfully met its overall recruiting goals, a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) audit revealed that certain tech-heavy career paths are experiencing critical undermanning. The branch is actively trying to over-recruit and backfill the following job domains:
Cyberspace, intelligence analysts, and acquisitions and contracting are all undermanned, and the Space Force is hiring, especially if you have skills, education and experience in these occupational specialties. The good news is that in the next three years, the Space Force is looking to grow to a force of 20,000 by 2030. Depending on your personal goals, you may find it appealing to get out of the Air Force and join the Space Force as a civilian, and the process may be easier if civilian job openings increase more than military options.
Fitness Testing and Standards
The Space Force has recently completed the testing and evaluation of its fitness testing and standards. While it’s important to be fit and healthy as a recruit and member of the Space Force, technical skills are more important. The Space Force seeks tech-savvy guardians who excel in critical thinking, problem-solving and adaptability over traditional combat skills. High fitness standards for tactical roles are not necessary, but they remain modest and healthy.
The Space Force is recruiting people with strong math, science and technology skills over faster running times and rucking ability. Consider the Space Force Fitness Standards not as physical standards for performing physically demanding jobs but instead as standards based on health, wellness and resilience in high-stress situations.
The Space Force fitness testing program evaluates career-long readiness through the Human Performance Assessment (HPA). The Space Force emphasizes holistic, year-round health tracking tailored to its unique technological operations. The fitness test is every six months.
All guardians must earn a composite score of 60 or higher out of 80 points across four distinct physical categories to be considered deployment-ready. As you may know, this is the same test as the Air Force’s, though the scoring charts differ at the lower end. If you can pass the Air Force Fitness standards, you will be able to pass the Space Force Standards:
- Cardiorespiratory fitness (50 points): Guardians must complete a timed 2-mile run or a 20-meter high aerobic multi-shuttle run. At least one of the mandatory semi-annual tests must be the 2-mile run.
- Muscular strength (15 points): Evaluated using standard tempo pushups or hand-release pushups.
- Core endurance (15 points): Guardians choose between traditional situps, crossed-leg reverse crunches, or a timed forearm plank.
- Body composition: Measured using a strict waist-to-height ratio rather than broad weight charts to track metabolic wellness.
The Space Force may be the newest and smallest branch of service, but it offers a big opportunity for those with the right mix of technical skills and personal readiness. If you are already serving in the Air Force and considering the move, start by learning where the Space Force has manning needs; strengthening your credentials in cyber, intelligence, engineering, acquisitions, or space operations; and maintaining a consistent, healthy fitness standard. For the right candidate, transferring into the Space Force can be a smart next step, and one that places you at the front edge of America’s newest military branch of service during a revolutionary time of cyber warfare, drone warfare and artificial intelligence.
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