Have There been Any New Branch Added to The Military Recently?

Hello everyone! I heard some chatter about a new branch being added to the military. Anyone out there have more info on that? What are they focusing on, and what are the opportunities for high school graduates in that branch?

Yes, you're correct. The United States officially added a new branch to its military structure: the U.S. Space Force. Instituted at the end of 2019, the U.S. Space Force operates under the Department of the Air Force, similar to how the U.S. Marine Corps operates under the Department of the Navy. The mission of the U.S. Space Force is to "organize, train, and equip space forces in order to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities to the joint force."

In regards to opportunities for high school graduates, they have several options. Just like other branches, the Space Force recruits people with a high school diploma directly into enlisted positions. The process would be similar to enlistment in other military branches, involving meeting with a recruiter, taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test, and going through physical and medical examinations.

Moreover, the U.S. Space Force offers officer commissioning opportunities for those who plan on attending college, similar to ROTC programs and Service Academies in the traditional branches. These paths involve more intense training and education but lead to leadership positions.

It's also worth noting that the Space Force, given its focus, may offer opportunities to specialize in fields like satellite communication, space operations, and systems operations management, to name a few. Each of these specialties would involve additional training and education beyond basic training.

To sum up, the addition of the U.S. Space Force to the military structure opens up high-tech, space-focused opportunities for high school graduates who are interested in contributing to the country's space capabilities and security.