The Space Force recently announced an opportunity for Guardians to choose to continue their service through a part-time option. Last year, the U.S. Space Force along with the Marine Corps were the only two branches in the U.S. military to meet their recruitment goal. But without a National Guard or Reserve and the added possibility for members to leave for higher-paying civilian jobs, the Space Force is working to ensure those Guardians who sign up continue to serve after their initial contract ends.
The military as a whole knows they need to find ways to incentivize members not only to join but to stay in the military and one of the issues leaders have seen is quality of life. The key to success leans into how the quality of life factor plays into Guardians’ lives.
A Flexible Way to Serve in the Military
One of the most important factors will be flexibility. The change announced 48 scheduled drills and at least 14 days of active duty service or serving on active duty for up to 30 days a year. There is a five-year implementation process with many things to be ironed out based on the initial guidance for the program. Will it be something that mirrors the current Guard and Reserve structure or will it offer flexibility to its members to meet the requirements outlined? The answers to these questions will shape the program and likely define its success.
Part-time Guardians will likely have to find a full-time job to support themselves and their families. In other words, a part-time service to the Space Force could require them to spend additional hours away from their family. One of the challenges the military has been facing is how different the newest generations view work. People from the Gen Z and Millennial generations are looking for ways they can spend more time with their families or on their future endeavors. Spending more time working to support the military and their mission may not be something they are willing to consider if it requires them to give up vacation days or time they could spend following a passion or with their family.
Talent Retention Strategy
It also could be right in line with wanting to stay connected to the military but not having to serve full-time and worrying about relocating. The National Guard and Reserve have seen positive results in retaining talent and the part-time system could plan to mirror their results without a fully built-out structure that has been blocked by Congress through multiple attempts since the Space Force’s creation.
One of the focuses of the National Guard as they work to retain people is extending medical benefits. Right now, recruitment into the National Guard is only slightly below the goals set, but retention is better than expected so they were right on target at the end of 2023 fiscal year.
The part-time option plan outlined what the requirements were for members, but it didn’t outline the benefits received for continuing service. This is something leaders are still working through in the five-year phased implementation of the new program.
“What does it mean to be part-time? What benefits do you have? … How do we promote? How do we select? What does that look like? We’re working through that right now.” Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force John Bentivegna told Military Times in a Jan. 11 interview.
Answers to those questions along with how quickly the program will begin to allow Guardians the option to continue to serve in this new part-time capacity will be vital in determining the success of this new program. While the 2024 NDAA authorized the part-time program isn’t ready for Guardians to choose this option today.
