The head of the United States Space Force is no longer wearing his “space wings” in his official portrait, as changes are underway in who can wear the distinctive Space Operations Badge. Air & Space Forces magazine reported this week that Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman isn’t the only high-ranking official not to be donning the badge that was first introduced in 2004 as the new Air Force Space Badge (AFSB) before evolving into its current form.
Speaking at the AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies on Monday, Lt. Gen. DeAnna M. Burt, the Space Force’s chief operations officer, revealed that the badge had been worn by Space Force guardians, or U.S. Air Force airmen, before the creation of the U.S. Space Force in 2019, working space operations jobs. In addition, it was worn by those flying or operating satellites in orbit.
The Space Operations Badge Explained
According to the official heraldry of the Space Operations Badge:
“The central globe represents the Earth as viewed from space, the Earth being the origin and control point for man’s space endeavors. The global lines of latitude and longitude hearken to the original 20th Air Force patch and emphasize the global nature of the Air Force space mission. The thrusts and vectors behind the globe represent the dynamic and infinite space environment. The deltoid symbolizes the Air Force’s upward thrust into space, the reentry vehicles of our intercontinental ballistic missile force, and the launch vehicles that place satellites in orbit. The ellipses represent orbital paths traced by satellites in Earth orbit; the satellites are symbolically depicted as four-pointed stars. The symmetric placement of the satellites signifies the Air Force’s worldwide coverage in accomplishing its mission.”
It has been awarded in three versions, including basic, senior, and command, and worn based on the individual’s experience.
However, the regulations on officers wearing the Space Operations Badge changed following the introduction of the Space Force Officer Training Course last year. Going forward, newly commissioned officers will need to complete a 12-month program that includes a focus on space operations, cyber, and intelligence, the U.S. Space Force’s three core career fields. Following the completion of the course, new graduates will receive the badge accordingly.
Space Wings Clipped
The change is meant to signify that the individual has completed the course. It is part of a larger culture change within the sixth and newest branch of the U.S. military.
“One of the things we’ve tried to do as a service is we want Guardians to identify as operators and warfighters,” Burt explained. “And how do you do that? You teach them the full playing field of what entails operations—cyber, intel, acquisition, and space operations. All of that comes together to do operations.”
Burt, who wasn’t wearing her “space wings” on Monday, further said that it is still being determined what the initial officer training course (OTC) graduates will wear after they complete the first course next month. An interim badge is being considered, after which it will be determined what is worn with the uniform to indicate completion of training.
Gen. Saltzman opted to lead by example, and Burt followed in no longer wearing the badge.
Space Force Service Dress Rollout Continues
It was nearly a year ago that the Space Force also announced that its service dress uniforms would slowly roll out throughout 2025, almost two years after wear testing at eight installations was concluded.
“We expect to roll the uniform out in early spring, January, February timeframe to all Guardians, and then we will have a full instruction that talks about exactly how you wear the uniform,” Burt added.
When the first prototypes were unveiled, the short navy blue jacket with a large flap over the right breast and a diagonal line of six silver buttons earned comparisons to uniforms from science fiction. It has since received mostly positive feedback.
Alternate Air Force Athletic Uniforms to Honor the Space Force
In addition to the changes to the wearing of the Space Operations Badge and the finalization of the service dress uniforms, the United States Space Force will also be honored by the Air Force Athletics in the upcoming sports season.
All Air Force sports teams will wear a Space Force alternate uniform for a game or series. The uniforms were created in a partnership between the service and the Air Force Athletics.
“We are thrilled to unveil this collaboration with the U.S. Space Force to honor the men and women who make up this important service,” said Air Force Director of Athletics Nathan Pine. “As the Space Force’s Academy, it is an important partnership that will showcase uniforms for each of our teams to celebrate these incredible teammates.”
The uniforms will feature the words “Space Force” and “USSF,” in addition to the Delta insignia of the U.S. Space Force, and the typographic Sharpe Sans Display, the official font of the service.
The United States Air Force Academy previously wore a uniform that honored the Space Force with its 2022 edition of the Air Power Legacy Series uniform during the football game with the Navy in Falcon Stadium.
The U.S. Air Force Academy currently sees about 10% of its class commissioned as guardians.
