Will the Space Force get their own National Guard? They will if the House of Representatives has any say in it. And a part-time Guardian Force too. Right now, the Space Force only consists of full-time active duty service members called Guardians. But there are two legislative proposals in the House that are part of the next proposed Defense Authorization Bill. However, this is not the first time this proposal has moved forward as a separate amendment, but it is the first time it has been included in the draft bill itself.
Under the draft legislation, at least a dozen current Air National Guard units would re-designate to become the Space Force National Guard. There is also another proposal that would create a part-time active-duty force that would function much like the current Reserves do now for the other military branches to include drilling requirements. According to the Department of Air Force spokesperson, Maj Tanya Downsworth, “It’s the Space Force’s No. 1 legislative proposal”.
Two Proposals
These two proposals are only the next step ahead of what has been a long winding road up to this point.
Space Force National Guard Timeline
Infographic courtesy of Reserve National Guard.com
First, the defense bill must be approved by the full House and then when in its final state with possible amendments, reconciled with the Senate’s version before eventually becoming law. Target date for completion is late fall or early winter.
The Space Force began pushing this National Guard/part-time active-duty plan at the end of March by submitting a report to Congress showing how the creation of these two entities would increase the effectiveness and efficiency within the Space Force.
The House Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee approved the plan which advanced both proposals on June 12. The National Guard proposal would convert 14 existing Air National Guard units totaling about 1,000 airmen over to the Space Force National Guard. The second proposal would create a part-time active-duty force.
While the House approved the amendments, there is anticipated opposition in the Senate. And while both proposals could be approved and both coexist if that happens, it appears the Space Force is hedging their bet with two proposals hoping at least one proposal survives the Senate vote.
Of course at the heart of the opposition is money. In 2021, the White House Office of Management and Budget issued a statement saying it would cost $500 million to create the Space Guard. However, the Adjutants General Association puts the estimate at far less – $250,000 – with no new facilities needed. Converting existing units would not be as expensive as creating new units from scratch.
Duty Statuses
As part of the proposal, there would be three duty statuses:
- Sustained Duty– In this status, Guardians are on active duty.
- Not on Sustained Duty – A part-time status where Guardians participate in at least 48 drills per year and serve on active duty no less than 14 days per year, but not more than 30 days per year.
- Inactive Duty – Much like the current Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), these Guardians would not receive pay and would not be required to attend drills. However they could volunteer for duty or be recalled back to active duty.
Passing both proposals would structure the Space Force much like the other military branches in which it would have both a National Guard and Reserve component. Only time will tell as to which proposal (or if either) will make it through the Senate.
