The Army Space Cadre: Space Professionals (FA40) and Space Enablers
What is it'
The secretary of defense directed each service to develop a "cadre of space-qualified professionals comprised of military and civilian personnel to represent their Military Service and agency's interests in space requirements, acquisition and operations." As the Army Specified Proponent for Space, the commander, <a href="http://www.army.mil/info/organization/unitsandcommands/commandstructure/smdc/" target="_blank">U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command</a> (USASMDC/ARSTRAT,) received the mission to develop and track a cadre of space-qualified professionals. The Army Space Cadre consists of over 2,300 Soldier and civilian billets in the Army and joint organizations. There are three categories of Army Space Personnel from all components: FA40 (Space Operations Officers), Non-FA40 Soldiers, and DA civilians.
What has the Army done'
The Army defined its Space Cadre (military and civilian) as Space Professionals and Space Enablers. Space Professionals are career space specialists, who plan, develop, resource, acquire, integrate or operate space forces, concepts, application or capabilities. Space Enablers are Army personnel who perform unique space tasks or functions or may require specialized skills to apply space capabilities. Space Professionals work "space" full time while for Space Enablers "space" is seen as supplemental to their career field. Space Professional Soldiers are currently only FA40 officers who follow a defined career path for training, education and assignment. Space Cadre Soldiers may also qualify for award of the<a href="http://www.armyspace.army.mil/Pic_Archive/ASJ_PDFs/ASJ_VOL_5_NO_2_Z_FLIP_7.pdf" target="_blank"> Air Force Space Badge</a>.
What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future'
The Army recognizes civilians are a critical space resource and, in many cases, have more experience than their military counterparts. Many civilians spend their careers in space positions and it is the Army's goal to document this expertise, identify additional training needs and recognize each civilian for contributions. Currently under staffing is a proposal to implement skill identifiers for civilians across DoD for use to identify space experience at a level broad enough for functional application but specific enough to provide a good understanding of the Army Space Cadre's civilian workforce's overall space expertise.
Why is this important to the Army'
The Army remains the largest user of space-based assets within DoD and the operational force's reliance on these assets is expanding at rates that challenge the force to remain abreast of existing capabilities. Space Cadre members can provide this level of expertise. Mission effectiveness demands technologically sound personnel, sustained by career-long education in applicable science, engineering, application, theory, and doctrine.
Resources:
AKO log in required: <a href="https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/343526 " target="_blank">U.S. Army Space Development Office (ASPDO) website</a>
<a href="http://www.army.mil/info/organization/unitsandcommands/commandstructure/smdc/" target="_blank">U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command</a>
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