Published Aug 14, 2026, 1:57 PM EDT

The Space Force offers a big opportunity for those with the right mix of technical skills and personal readiness.

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Published Aug 14, 2026, 1:57 PM EDT

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.