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For everyone here mocking the idea, I have to wonder if there was similar mockery in the early 20th century when the US Army Signal Corps' Aeronautical Division was created (forerunner of the Air Force we have today).
At this point, it needs to be under the purview of the current Space Command. If the Air Force is having a problem supporting it, then there needs to be some housecleaning at the upper levels...as was necessary when the DoD finally got serious about being "joint" in the 80s.
If that can't work, then Space Command should be formed as a specified command (like the old SAC) within the Air Force or an Air Force corps with a seat on JCS like the Marine Corps or a unified command (like the current STRATCOM or SOCOM). There is a whole ladder of steps before separate military branch of service.
There actually was a Unified Combatant Command (named Space Command) in the 80s and 90s. It was closed in 2002 and merged with STRATCOM. More recently, US Joint Forces Command was closed. If Space is made another UCC, it is subject to closure again. Not arguing for or against, just saying.
You said it is possible that Space (thingie) should be an 'Air Force corps with a seat on JCS like the Marine Corps'. I'm not sure I understood that: The Marine Corps may be a part of the Department of the Navy, but it is 100% a separate military branch of service. The Secretary of the Navy has two services, the U.S. Marine Corps (military service) and the U.S. Navy (military service).
If you follow the same model as the Navy, perhaps we should consider a Department of the Air Force (or maybe a Department of Aerospace?) with the US Air Force and US Space Force/Corps/whatever we call it.
At some point I think more services = counterproductive, and I don't know that the Air Force has been doing badly with space. Just give them executive agency or control of all space forces? Maybe a forced branch transfer of space assets into the Air Force?
Last edited by GeorgiaTransplant; 06-24-2018 at 06:38 AM..
There actually was a Unified Combatant Command (named Space Command) in the 80s and 90s. It was closed in 2002 and merged with STRATCOM. More recently, US Joint Forces Command was closed. If Space is made another UCC, it is subject to closure again. Not arguing for or against, just saying.
You said it is possible that Space (thingie) should be an 'Air Force corps with a seat on JCS like the Marine Corps'. I'm not sure I understood that: The Marine Corps may be a part of the Department of the Navy, but it is 100% a separate military branch of service. The Secretary of the Navy has two services, the U.S. Marine Corps (military service) and the U.S. Navy (military service).
If you follow the same model as the Navy, perhaps we should consider a Department of the Air Force (or maybe a Department of Aerospace?) with the US Air Force and US Space Force/Corps/whatever we call it.
At some point I think more services = counterproductive, and I don't know that the Air Force has been doing badly with space. Just give them executive agency or control of all space forces? Maybe a forced branch transfer of space assets into the Air Force?
I agree with your bottom line: More services = counterproductive.
I think a specified command within the Air Force, like SAC, is the best way to go for space combat. There should probably be a unified command for cyber warfare.
My opinion for both is based on:
1. Which service already owns or would naturally own such combat assets as would fight those wars (logistics, training, deployment of warfighting assets). The Air Force currently owns the logistics and training assets for space combat, as well as the assets to get into space. Aerospace is a continuum, both naturally and in terms of combat.
2. Which services would combat in those areas most support? Every service is a player in cyberwarfare..
Every service would have some service-unique assets and service-unique training. However, they all need to be coordinated jointly as cyberwarfare will flow across the services.
Army, Navy, and Air Force each has a Cyber command already - and jointly they roll up under U.S. Cyber Command. With or without a separate Space Command, it still could work within the existing structure set up for cyber.
At this point, it needs to be under the purview of the current Space Command. If the Air Force is having a problem supporting it, then there needs to be some housecleaning at the upper levels...as was necessary when the DoD finally got serious about being "joint" in the 80s.
If that can't work, then Space Command should be formed as a specified command (like the old SAC) within the Air Force or an Air Force corps with a seat on JCS like the Marine Corps or a unified command (like the current STRATCOM or SOCOM). There is a whole ladder of steps before separate military branch of service.
Agreed and good post. Basically, it can be accomplished without a completely separate military branch. Joint means joint not creating a branch for every aspect or entity that needs protection, especially if it will cost taxpayers unnecessary money.
Just thinking, a space force would need its own boot camp. Then folks would just say “nope let them go to Air Force boot camp” then others would say “well might as well make it like cyber command anyway.” Which was a lot easier than creating a “Cyber Force.”
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