The Space Force Management Act has completed the first phase of having Air Force Reservists transfer into full time Space Force roles. Starting September 3 to October 10, Air Force Reservist from Space related career fields can transfer to be part time members of the Space Force.
Over time the plan is for the Air Force Reserve, like the Air Force to no longer maintain space operation as career fields. This will mean Reservist with 13S and 1C6 specialties must either transfer to the Space Force or retrain into a new Air Force Specialty Code.
In a news release from the U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen Chance Saltzman said, “This is a part-time opportunity is an important next step toward fully integrating the talent we need into a single component, best equipped to ensure readiness and achieve our nation’s warfighting missions.”
Part Time Is Limited
The switch from Air Force Reserve to part time Space Force does not seem to be a permanent change. Instead, officers selected for transfer to part time duty positions incur a minimum three-year service commitment. Enlisted members also must transfer for a minimum of three years, with a maximum of six years in a part time capacity. The opportunity to transfer to a full-time role is always available to part time members.
“We are designing it to try to incentivize you to come back to full-time,” said U.S. Space Force Chief Human Capital Officer Katharine Kelley on a DefenseScoop podcast. “But what it does is allow people who might have a point in their life where say, you want to start a family or you’ve got an aging parent, and you need some flex, we can build that and have that.”
GUARDIAN Assignment Timeline
Air Force Reservist who are within five years of retirement (15-18 years) and transfer to the Space Force will be allowed to remain in a part time work role until they qualify for retirement. But once retirement eligible, the member must participate in the Guardian Assignment Timeline (GAT) for full-time or part-time work role. Members can also choose to participate in GAT at any time for a full-time work role prior to retirement.
GAT is an annual process within the U.S. Space Force where Guardians are matched to new assignments based on the needs of the service, professional development, and personal preferences. Those are then compared to vacancies, a marketplace assignment preference system, and a “matching window.” The Enlisted Tasking and Mobility Office performs the matching process.
Career Fields able to Transfer
The career fields open to transfer are Air Force Reserve Officers who hold the following Core IDs: 13S; 17X; 14N; 6X. And Air Force Reserve Enlisted Airmen who hold the following Control Air Force Specialty Codes: 1C6X1; 1N0; 1N1; 1N2; 1N3; 1N4; 1N8; 1D7X1; 1D7X2; 1D7X3. Eligibility outside of the career fields of 13S and 1C6 must have space experience.
The Transfer Board will review duty history to ensure at least one prior assignment in a space organization is reflected. Eligible service members must be fully trained in the career field in which they are applying. Members will transfer to the career field they were in. Except Officers from the 61X, 64P and 65X will re-core to 62E or 63A. Additionally, enlisted E-8s and E-9s selected for transfer will re-core to the 5Z800 or 5Z900 Space Force Specialty Codes.
“The Space Force is about to integrate some of the most professional 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.”
