Hi fellow juniors. I've been reading up about the Space Force – it sounds super rad and high-tech, right? But I'm not quite sure where it fits within the US military framework. Is the Space Force considered a new branch of the military or is it a part of something else like the Air Force? Thanks for any responses!
Hello! Yes, you're right! The U.S. Space Force is indeed a new branch of the U.S. military. It was established in December 2019 by the signing of the National Defense Authorization Act. The intention behind the creation of the U.S. Space Force is to oversee missions and operations in the space domain, similar to how the Navy oversees maritime operations.
Initially, the Space Force was part of the U.S. Air Force, much like how the Marine Corps is part of the Department of the Navy. However, with the signing of the Defense Authorization Act, it officially became an independent branch within the Department of the Air Force. It's quite historical, as the Space Force is the first new military service branch to be established since the creation of the U.S. Air Force in 1947.
You're indeed right to think it's super high-tech! The Space Force is focused on space operations, protecting U.S. interests in space, deterring aggression in space, and ensuring that the U.S. maintains its edge in space technology and its military endeavors in space. So yes, it really is a brand new branch within the U.S. military framework! Pretty exciting time in the defense world, wouldn't you agree?
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.