WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army is considering the creation of a dedicated space career field for enlisted soldiers, a move that could significantly expand its pool of space experts and better equip land forces to face the technological challenges of modern warfare.
Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey, commander of the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command, voiced strong support for the initiative Aug. 6 during his address at the Space and Missile Defense Conference in Huntsville, Alabama. The proposal, which has yet to receive approval from the Army’s top leadership, aims to establish an Army Space Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).
“It’s clear to me that our Army is missing a major piece of the puzzle when it comes to space operations: a dedicated military occupational specialty that allows NCOs [non-commissioned officers] as well as officers to specialize in space at the earliest stages of their career,” Gainey said.
Currently, only officers have a career field for space operations. On the enlisted side, soldiers serving in space-related positions come from other career paths such as engineering, air defense, signals or intelligence. The proposed MOS would allow soldiers to build and maintain expertise in space operations throughout their careers, rather than rotating back to their original branches after a single tour.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to establish an Army space branch, which has gained renewed momentum after previously slowing down due to the establishment of the U.S. Space Force.
Gainey emphasized the critical role of space capabilities in modern warfare, noting that every Army unit must be prepared to operate in environments where GPS satellite signals could be jammed or spoofed. A guidance document released in January, titled “Army Space Vision Supporting Multi Domain Operations,” underscores the importance of space systems in ground warfare and acknowledges the increased use of space-based surveillance by rival militaries.
“We can no longer continue to do business as usual,” Gainey said. “As we look out to 2030, we know that we have to grow our space capability.”
The Army is implementing a pilot program to deploy “Theater Effects Strike Groups” within combatant commands. These formations would focus on countering adversaries’ use of satellites against U.S. and allied forces.
The Theater Effects Strike Groups would specialize in various counter-space operations, including techniques to camouflage and conceal units from overhead satellite surveillance, thereby preserving the element of surprise in tactical operations.
