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Here's a look at what the military services are doing in space and how they're preparing their space workforces.

Army

Role: Controls Defense satellite communications system and operates mobile ground terminals.

Status: Conducting force management analysis.

• Three organizations have oversight.
• Deciding whether to include intelligence and acquisition specialists, enlisted and civilian personnel; critical positions not determined.
• Space operations officer certification requires Air Force training and immediate space-related assignment.

Navy

Role: Operates several space-based surveillance and warning systems; is acquiring the next generation in ultra-high-frequency communications satellites.

Status: No permanent management focal point; cadre adviser reports to two offices.

• Seamen in space billets get special training at the Naval Postgraduate School, Air Force Institute of Technology and Defense Acquisition University.
• Issued guidance to placement officials and promotion boards.
• Formal certification and training process is expanding.

Air Force

Role: Defense Department's executive agent for space; primary operator of military space systems

Status: Air Force Space Command took over cadre professional management this summer.

• Completing identification of uniquely skilled personnel and space-related job requirements by autumn.
• Offering new courses at Space Operations School; developing multiservice National Security Space Institute.
• Completed officer and enlisted certification plan; developing civilian certification requirements.
• Publishing first space career planning guide in spring 2005.

Marines

Role: Uses space for intelligence, communications and position navigation.

Status: Gave oversight to deputy commandant for plans, policies and operations.

• Identified space-qualified enlisted and civilian marines.
• Established working group to address cadre officer identification, training and assignment issues.
• Contracted data-gathering study to help manage space personnel.
• Integrating joint space operations doctrine into education programs; developing Marine Corps-specific space systems courses at Naval Postgraduate School.

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