The U.S. Space Force has introduced a program for Air Force Reserve members to transfer from the Air Force Reserve to full-time with the Space Force. This is the first step in working to move all space-related career fields currently serving in part-time positions into the Space Force. The Space Force hopes this program will successfully move members into the Space Force with plans to follow a similar program for Air National Guard assets. While this program is currently only focused on Reserve to full-time transfers, there are plans for Air Force Reserve members to transfer to part-time positions in the Space Force, possibly in 2026.
Congress Approved
Space Force and Air Force Reserve leadership held a town hall with the Reserves 310th Space Wing and Air Force Reserve Space Professionals from across the component, on Saturday, June 1, at Peterson Space Force Base, CO. The town hall and Q&A were recorded and can be viewed on the Guardian Forum Teams PMA Channel.
The goal is that over time the Air Force Reserve positions related to space will be fully under the Space Force members who choose not to transfer to the Space Force once all career fields are transferred will be required to retrain or separate from the service.
The first window for Air Force Reservists to transfer to full-time members of the Space Force opened on June 1 and will remain open until November 1. The transfer program is part of the Space Force Personnel Management Act (PMA) approved by Congress and signed into law as part of the FY2024 NDAA. The purpose of this program is to integrate active-duty Guardians and Air Force Reservists serving in space-focused career fields into a unified service that offers both full and part-time options.
“This is an important first step toward fully integrating critical space expertise from the Reserve into our force,” said Chief of Space Operations Gen Chance Saltzman.
Transfer Eligibility
Space-related career fields that are eligible to transfer are:
1. Officers
13S – Space Operations, 17X – Cyberspace Operations, 14N – Intelligence, 62E – Developmental Engineer, 63A – Acquisition Manager, and 61X – Scientist Officers, 61X will transfer to 62E or 63A because the Space Force does not have the 61X career field.
2. Enlisted
1C6 – Space Systems Operations, 1N0 – Intelligence, 1N1 – Imagery Analysis, 1N2 – Sigint, 1N3 – Cryptologic Language Analyst, 1N4 – Network Intelligence Analysis, 1N8 – Targeting Analyst, 1D7X1 – Cyber Defense Operations, 1D7X2 – Spectrum Operations Technician, and 1D7X3 – Cable and Antennae Defense Operations.
*Only the career fields of 13S and 1C6 specialists must transfer to either a full-time or part-time role in the Space Force. All other career fields mentioned above are available in the Air Force and Space Force.
“The Space Force is about to integrate some of the most talented space operators,” said Chief of the Air Force Reserve and Air Force Reserve Command Commander Lt. Gen. John Healy. “I have no doubt they will be key to advancing security in the space domain.”
Currently, there is no program in place to transfer Air National Guard assets, but leaders expect that a similar process will follow for Air National Guard members in the future once authorized and appropriate legal and policy changes. Those interested in transferring from the Air Force Reserve to full-time Space Force members can apply through MyVector. Additional information is located on the Space Force Transfer page.
