Interested in becoming a Guardian? Applications are being accepted now until Nov. 30 for Air Force reservists from space-related fields to transfer fulltime to Space Force.
Since the application window opened on June 1, more than 330 reservist airmen have requested transfers, said Katherine Kelley, the deputy chief of Space Operations for Human Capital at the U.S. Space Force, and they expect even more in the following months. According to the Space Force Personnel Management Act (PMA), which was passed through the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, the transfer option brings aboard Air Force reservists from space operations, cyber operations, intelligence and force modernization into the Space Force family.
“When fully implemented, this new construct will allow us to manage our military force more effectively, improve quality of life and retention, and capitalize on skillsets developed outside the military to continue delivering unmatched space capabilities,” Kelley said.
For now, the application window is open to those interested in being a Guardian in a full-time capacity. Those who would prefer part-time can expect their window to open in 2026 once policies, processes and systems are established, according to a Space Force press release. Possible duty stations include Peterson SFB, Schriever SFB and Buckley SFB, all in Colorado; Vandenberg SFB and Los Angeles AFB, both in California; and Patrick SFB in Florida.
Kelley said that the two branches are actively partnering together to ensure a smooth transition.
“The Space Force and Air Force Reserve (AFR) are working together to deliberately plan a phased implementation to transfer AFR space aligned missions and personnel, ensuring the transfers do not negatively impact Reserve missions during process,” she said.
The best bet to get in through the PMA? Make sure your Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) is eligible, for starters. Those include 13S, 14N, 17X and 6X for officers, and 1C6X1, 1N0, 1N1, 1N2, 1N3, 1N4, 1N8, 1D7X1, 1D7X2 and 1D7X3 for enlisted. From there, it’s crossing your t’s and dotting your i’s.
“Space Force is encouraging reservists with experience in space-focused missions or units to apply,” Kelley said. “Applicants should ensure their applications are complete and up to date with all the required and supporting records included to support a timely and effective document review and board process.”
And though there is currently no Space Force Reserve, there are crossover plans with the National Guard in the works, Kelley said.
“The Department of the Air Force is working with Congress on a proposal for the one-time transfer of certain National Guard units,” she said.
Interested Air Force reservists in space-related fields can apply to become Guardians at myvector.us.af.mil/MyApplications. To contact the PMA Transition Team with questions, email SF.PMA.Questions@spaceforce.mil.