I've been hearing a lot of buzz about the 'Space Corps' as a proposed branch of the military. What's up with that? Has it been officially established, and what kind of opportunities might it offer for high school grads like me considering the military option?
The United States created a new branch of the military focused on space called the U.S. Space Force, which was officially established back in 2019. There might be some confusion because "Space Corps" is another name that was proposed for the branch during its developmental phase.
The Space Force is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping personnel to protect U.S. and allied interests in space. Their mission includes a wide range of tasks like monitoring ballistic missile launches, tracking space debris, and maintaining satellites which allow the other branches of the military to communicate.
As a high school grad, joining the Space Force might indeed offer some unique opportunities. The careers in the Space Force are broadly divided into three tracks: space operations, intelligence, and cyber.
Space Operations careers might involve tracking satellites, identifying space threats, space lift, and satellite command and control. On the other hand, Intel careers would involve analyzing and interpreting intelligence data about space-based threats. Cyber careers typically relate to the protection of our Space Force systems from cyber threats.
It's important to note that the Space Force is a highly specialized branch and, as such, might come with unique challenges and a potentially competitive application process. You'd likely need to display a strong background in STEM subjects. But the rewards could include working at the cutting edge of technology and exploration—a truly unique experience that could provide a strong platform for a later career in the aerospace industry, potentially even at organizations like NASA.
Remember, it is always important to consider what branch of the military aligns most with your interests, aptitudes, and long-term goals. If space and technology are truly your passion, this could be a great fit.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.