Officials say expanding career opportunities in space for enlisted soldiers is a top priority.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The U.S. Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) has proposed creating a new military occupational specialty (MOS) focused on space operations for non-commissioned officers early in their careers, Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey announced on August 6 at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium.

This proposal aligns with the Army’s updated space vision, developed at the end of 2023, which aims to enhance the Army’s role in space and expand its space-based capabilities. “The Army must assert its role in space and ensure we are the experts in this domain for future conflicts,” Gainey stated. He emphasized that the Army currently lacks a critical component in space operations, which the new MOS aims to address.

The proposal for this new MOS, which would designate soldiers as “40 Delta MOS” or space soldiers, was submitted to the Army G-1, the personnel management branch, about six weeks ago. Command Sergeant Major John Foley of SMDC noted that once staffing is completed, the decision will be reviewed by senior Army leaders. If approved, implementing the new MOS could take approximately two years.

Since the creation of the U.S. Space Force in 2019, the Army’s space-related responsibilities have shifted, with many roles such as satellite communications and missile warning transferred to the Space Force. The Army’s new space vision focuses on integrating joint space capabilities, countering adversaries’ space activities, and advancing space domain operations.

The Army’s strategy includes forming multidomain task forces (MDTFs) and theater strike effects groups (TSEGs) to support new mission areas. Three MDTFs have been established in the Pacific and Europe, with plans to add two more. These task forces will use cyber and electronic warfare capabilities to disrupt adversaries’ defenses. Theater strike effects groups will synchronize and deliver space-based interdiction fires to support theater objectives.

The Army is also developing next-generation tactical terminals for integrating data from various satellite services and space-enabled platforms, alongside high-altitude sensors like balloons and long-endurance aircraft.

The Army is repositioning several thousand soldiers to support multidomain operations and is preparing a space training strategy to be released soon. This strategy will focus on practical training for space capabilities, including GPS jamming and reactions to such disruptions.

Future developments include adding offensive space control capabilities to the TSEG, expected to become an interim capability around 2027, and further integration into the Indo-Pacific theater. SMDC and Army Futures Command are collaborating on developing the concept for the objective force, with an announcement anticipated next year.

The Army’s efforts also involve experimenting with high-altitude balloons and aircraft within the MDTFs to refine and expand space capabilities across formations.