EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Chief of Space Operations Gen. B Chance Saltzman visited Space Systems Command at Los Angeles Air Force Base May 22, engaging more than 500 Guardian acquirers to discuss their outsized impact on missions across the Space Force and Department of Defense.
Foregoing the formalities of a lectern or podium, Saltzman opted for a conversational approach, sitting opposite SSC Commander Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant as he spoke in candid detail about the instrumental nature of the acquisition workforce and its contributions to the lethality and success of the Joint Force.
“Space acquisition is a complex endeavor. It requires a service-level attention across processes, procedures, expertise and different competencies,” Saltzman explained. “What makes space acquisition work is everybody coming together, collaborating, bringing their expertise, so that we can meet the sense of urgency that's required, deliver the capabilities that our warfighters need and address the threats that are only growing as we continue to move forward with the Space Force.”
Saltzman shared that, more than any other service, the Space Force mission requires a uniquely close coupling of acquisition and operations expertise to conduct activities in an agile, complex and hostile environment. To most effectively combat emerging threats, he noted how critical it is for all Guardians to share a comprehensive understanding of Space Force competencies, encompassing acquisition, satellite operations, intelligence, cyberspace operations and more.
"What we're expecting officers to be are the leaders and planners of the Space Force," Saltzman said during a session with a senior crowd, underscoring that this requires a "broad understanding of our capabilities, of our missions, of the key activities that we perform." He stressed that the Space Force, with fewer than 5,000 officers, cannot afford the deep specialization enabled by the significantly larger end strengths of other services.
For that reason, Saltzman explained, the Space Force is developing its Guardians differently. For example, new officers will begin their careers with foundational experience at the Space Force’s Officer Training Course. After an initial assignment on crew, officers will have the flexibility either to specialize in an operational discipline or to apply for entry into the acquisition workforce.
He likened the new approach to a “career superhighway with multiple lanes," instead of a "worn-out path winding through a forest." He emphasized that Guardian development should not be defined by an early commitment to a single functional area but rather by gaining skills with increasing scope of responsibility. This requires members to grow as Guardians and not just “climbing the ladder within a single specialty.”
“We are too small a branch and require too much diversification of the senior level of our workforce to be strictly adhering to tribal precepts,” he said.
Saltzman acknowledged this marks a “fundamental shift” in talent development and committed to refining the approach based on real-time feedback. He reassured Guardians who did not attend the new OTC as well as those in more senior grades that they would be evaluated against their peers based on the opportunities they were previously presented.
Following each session, Saltzman engaged directly with Guardians, answering questions and listening to feedback. His visit highlighted the Space Force’s ongoing commitment to building versatile Guardians who are ready to conduct decisive warfighting operations.
Saltzman and his wife, Jennifer Saltzman, were welcomed to the base by Garrant and other senior leaders. Before dedicating the bulk of his visit to speaking with Guardians, Saltzman also received key briefings from SSC Program Executive Officers including those leading the Assured Access to Space, Combat Power, Operational Test and Training Infrastructure and Space Sensing portfolios.
