How has the creation of the USSF differed from the formation of the Marine Corps and what were the relevant pros/cons? (HQ USSF/SEF). How does/did the Air Force transfer people, mission sets, R&D, and equipment to the Space Force?. How does inter-service rivalry contribute to the establishment of the USSF? (Museum Staff). What is the correct balance of officer to enlisted to determine if the USSF needs adjustment or reallocation of personnel in officer and enlisted ranks? (50 OSS).
With the separation from the Air Force, the Space Force needs to establish its own identity and culture as a separate service branch. What factors and actions do we need to consider in order to allow the cultivation of a strong Space Force culture? (2 ROPS). Given the fact that the USSF will eventually be comprised of USAF, USA, and USN Space Professionals, what are some ways that the USSF should begin to socialize, normalize, and establish a unified USSF culture/vernacular/common ground, etc.? (Museum Staff). How does a new organization create its identity and culture over time, and how can the USSF create its own unique identity and culture now and when the other branches are incorporated? (50 OSS). What are the impacts of Legacy Thinking by USAF organizations on the successful standup of the HQ USSF? (HQ USSF/SED).
Finally, as part of establishing this new identity, how does the Space Force develop a "warfighting" mindset, and does the Space Force even need a "warfighting" mindset?
Borja, Maj. Kevin S., "Optimizing Officer Development for USSF Operations: Specialization vs. Generalization," AFGC thesis, 2025.
- Borja addresses this by warning that inheriting the legacy USAF "jack of all trades" generalist model structurally hinders the Space Force, as it prioritizes administrative leadership over the profound technical depth required for space operations. To overcome this legacy thinking and cultivate a strong, independent identity, he argues the Space Force must undergo a massive cultural transformation where "mastery of the machine is as respected as mastery of the staff". This culture can be solidified by implementing objective competency-based milestones and separate competitive promotion categories that protect specialists from being penalized for lacking traditional, command-oriented broadening assignments.
- Faustman, Maj. Josh, "Establishing a Space Force Culture: Lessons on Artifacts and Organizational Identity," ACSC Schriever Space Scholars paper, 2020, 54 pgs.
- Subsequently published as an AU Press Wright Flyer Paper, "Establishing a Space Force Culture: Lessons on Artifacts and Organizational Identity," (2021)
- Goodman, Maj. Brian, "I'm in the Space Force. Please Stop Asking Me about UFOs," AF Fellows research, published in The Hill, August 22, 2023.
- Hodge, Rebecca, "Communicating the Space Ecosystem: The Next Frontier," AWC Research Paper, 2024, 8 pgs.
- Hodges, Col. Jennifer E., "General John 'Jay' Raymond; Building a Space Warfighting Culture," AWC research paper, 2025, 20 pgs.
- Huber, Matthew D., "Culture Shock: Organizational Identity in Times of Transition and Crisis," SAASS thesis, 2024, 84 pgs.
- King, Col. Matthew T., "Value Negotiation and Outer Space Cultural Property: A 'Space Vehicle' for Conflict Transformation?" AWC elective paper, 2021, 22 pgs.
- Lohmeier, Maj. Matthew L., "The Better Mind of Space," ACSC paper, 2019.
- Lohmeier, Lt. Col. Matthew L., "Threatening the Architecture of Belief: The Cultural Underpinnings of the Air Force's Fight against the Creation of an Independent Space Force," SAASS thesis, 2020.
- Lynch, Lt. Col. Aaron D., "Analogical Reasoning in Orbital Warfare," SAASS Thesis, 2020, 88 pgs.
- Skilling, Maj. Ryan, "Semper Fi to Semper Supra: Lessons for the USSF on Organizational Efficiency and Effectiveness from 246 Years of USMC History," SAASS thesis, 2022, 106 pgs.
- Slaughter, Lt. Col. Bryony, "The Wrath of Khong: Science Fiction, Future Analogies, and Early Military Space Policy," SAASS Thesis, 2020, 110 pgs.
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- Grant, Maj. Dustin L. and Maj. Matthew J. Neil, "The Case for Space: A Legislative Framework for an Independent United States Space Force," ACSC, 2018.
- Haun, Major Derek, "US Civil-Military Space Relations—Implications for the National Space Council Informed by the Air Coordinating Committee (1945-1960)," SAASS thesis, 2022, 88 pgs.
- Lohmeier, Lt. Col. Matthew L., "Threatening the Architecture of Belief: The Cultural Underpinnings of the Air Force's Fight against the Creation of an Independent Space Force," SAASS thesis, 2020.
- Oboho, Lt. Col. Edemumo K., "Enough Space Control to Rule the Air: The Recommended Future of the Air Force," SAASS Thesis, 2020, 99 pgs.
- Vazquez, Lt. Col. Francisco, "A Mari Usque Ad Astra: The Future Influence of Space Power Upon American Hegemony," SAASS thesis, 2024, 104 pgs.
- Allen, Lt. Col. Cornelius L., Jr, "Analysis of the US Space Force Development Challenges Over A 40-Year Horizon, Utilizing the Joint Capabilities and Integration Development System Framework: Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership, Professional, Facilities--Policy (DOTMLPF-P)," AWC PSP, 2020, 19 pgs.
- Garretson, Capt. Joshua, "Satellite Servicing: A History, the Impact to Space Force and the Logistics behind It," SOS AUAR, 2021, 9 pgs.
- Gee, Lt. Col. Sarah and Jennifer DiMascio, "Proposed Transfer of Space Aligned National Guard Units," AF Fellow research, published by the Congressional Research Service, May 14, 2024.
- Gildea, Samantha Kate, "Positioning the Space Force: Criteria for Departmental Status," AF Global College, 2024, 43 pgs.
- Shea, Capt. Stephen, USAF, "The Aerospace Divorce: What Should be the Dividing Line between the Air Force’s Space Assets and the Space Force?" SOS AUAR Space Elective, Oct 2019.
- Torkelson, Capt. Ashley, "Defining The Line: Why The Department of Defense Should Reconsider United States Space Command’s Area Of Responsibility" OTH Blog Article/SOS AUAR Space Elective, Jan 2020.
- Townsend, LTC Brad, USA, "Space Power and the Foundations of an Independent Space Force" Air & Space Power Journal article, Winter 2019, 12 pgs.
- Bartlow Jr., Lt. Col. Robert L., "Critique and Recommendations for U.S. National Space Policy" AWC PSP, 2020, 18 pgs.
- Borja, Maj. Kevin S., "Optimizing Officer Development for USSF Operations: Specialization vs. Generalization," AFGC thesis, 2025
- Borja confirms the necessity of this mindset, emphasizing that the Space Force must adopt a "warfighter-engineer" ethos to survive in a contested, kinetic orbital environment. Because orbital warfare is governed by immutable physics rather than terrestrial terrain, he argues that developing this mindset requires officers to thoroughly understand the "math of the fight". Borja asserts that this tactical intuition can only be developed by dedicating the first eight years of an officer's career exclusively to technical immersion and specialized mastery, preventing them from defaulting to bureaucratic management when they need to make high-stakes, split-second decisions under fire.
- Faust, LCDR Joseph D., "Just Star Wars: Just War Theory and Its Impact on the Great Power Competition in Space," AFGC thesis, 2024, 56 pgs.
- Hammer, Maj. Daniel, "A New Frontier: The USSF and an Emerging Space Warfighting Concept," GCPME thesis, 2024, 51 pgs.
- Titus, Lt. Col. Bryan M., USAF, "Establishing A Space Profession Within the U.S. Space Force" AWC PSP, 2020, 23 pgs.
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Townsend, LTC Brad, USA, "Strategic Choice and the Orbital Security Dilemma" Strategic Studies Quarterly; vol 13 no 4; Spring 2020; p 64-90 [24 pgs]