With graduation looming, I'm mapping out my potential paths and the military is definitely one I'm considering. I recently heard about the new branch, the Space Force. Could anyone give me some info on what they do?
The United States Space Force (USSF) is indeed the newest branch of the U.S. Military, having been established in 2019. The primary responsibility of the Space Force is to organize, train, and equip space forces in order to protect U.S. and allied interests in space.
Specifically, they have tasks related to monitoring ballistic missile launches, tracking space debris, and maintaining satellites to facilitate communication across the other military branches. It's important for the military to have up-to-date and reliable information about what's going on in space because it plays a key role in areas like satellite communications, navigation, weather data, and more.
In a nutshell, the Space Force was established to ensure the United States' continued freedom of operation in space, provide capabilities to the joint force that support the U.S. and its allies, and avert any hostile actions that threaten the U.S. in or from space.
One key point is the careers within the Space Force. Currently, they offer numerous career fields such as Intelligence, Cyber, Acquisitions, Engineering and Operations. As this branch continues to develop, it is likely that there will be a range of new and exciting opportunities.
A career in the Space Force could provide unique opportunities, but like any branch of the military, consider the commitment required carefully. You'd undergo Basic Military Training (BMT), serving at least 4 years of active duty, plus an additional four years of inactive reserve. Military life also comes with frequent moves, long hours, and deployments.
Remember, joining the military comes with sacrifices, but also rewards like job stability, skills training, educational benefits, among others. Every branch of the military offers unique opportunities, so explore your options before you make a choice. You may want to speak with recruiters from each branch, as well as current and former service members to get a feel for what the lifestyle and the roles entail.
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