TOPIC SPONSOR: DS4, 30 SW/PMD
Does the Space Force need to develop a “Space Maintenance” career field to maintain its weapon systems instead of relying so much on Contract Logistics Support and a handful of 3Ds? (DS4) Should Space Program Managers, Contracting Officers, and Financial Analysts career fields transition to Space Force? (30 SW/PMD)
- Adame, Maj. Ashlee R., "U.S. Space Supremacy Starts Here; A Case for Supply Chain Risk Management Change across the Defense Industrial Base for Space," AFGC thesis, 2025, 49 pgs.
- This paper directly addresses the need to develop the Space Force's acquisition workforce. It recommends establishing programs, policies, and funding for "space-focused workforce development and education across the enterprise" to support a pipeline of skilled labor in evolving disciplines like Contracting, Intelligence, and Cybersecurity.
- Kenyon, Capt. Shelby, "The Strategic Advantage in Space--Who Has It?" Wild Blue Yonder, April 4, 2024.
- Discusses the challenges the Space Force faces with its acquisition and contracting workforce. It notes that the Department of Defense's acquisition system is the largest inhibitor to American success in space, as military personnel frequently struggle against experienced professional teams from outside agencies. To keep pace with adversaries, the paper notes the Space Force is attempting to modernize its acquisition strategies through entities like the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO) to deliver capabilities faster.
- Mateo, Maj. Carlos, "Mobility and Logistics in the Cosmos: Preparing Logistics Readiness Officers for the Final Frontier," GCPME thesis, 2022, 53 pgs.
- Space Force relies heavily on the Air Force to provide approximately 75% of its enabling functions. Rather than advocating for personnel transfers, the author focuses entirely on evaluating four potential educational scenarios designed to better prepare Air Force Logistics Readiness Officers (LROs) to support future Space Mobility and Logistics operations.
- Shields, Jeremy R.P., "The Sixth Military Revolution: Is the Department of Defense Ready?" SAASS thesis, 2023, 81 pgs.
- While it doesn't mention specific career fields, this paper highlights that the primary reason the Space Force was cleaved from the Air Force into its own service was due to the Air Force's acquisition processes. The inability to properly organize, train, equip, and field technology at a rapid pace necessitated a separate department focused entirely on the space domain.