For the first time in history, the US Army is creating a space competency for enlisted personnel, and this change, according to military officials, will better prepare forces for modern conflicts, covering land, sea, air, cyberspace and outer space. A new military professional specialty (MOS), which has the designation 40D Space Operations Specialist, provides career development for enlisted soldiers, specializing in space operations, announced 2 May, a high-ranking official of the army.
"These specialists will become experts, in demand during the next conflict", – said Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey, commander of the Space and Missile Defense Command of the US Army. Initiative, which was presented last August, has now received the approval of the top leadership of the army.
Previously, officials in space operations were only officers. Private soldiers, who worked in positions, related to space, had a different specialty, such as engineering, air defense, communication or intelligence, and often returned to these areas after completing the task.
"Today, the vast majority of knowledge and experience in space operations is concentrated in the officer corps, and not in the non-commissioned officer corps", Gainey said. “This new space operations MOS system will ensure the arrival of specialists from Sgt, to the commanders of space formations of the army with experience and knowledge in space operations".
Changes happen at that time, as the military increasingly recognizes space as an area of conflict of interest, which is crucial to modern warfare. Army space specialists will focus on tactics to disrupt or jam enemy satellite networks. Army representatives said, that the initiative is designed in this way, so as not to affect the budget. Although the staff, who is currently assigned to space units, will return to its original areas of activity in air defense, communications and intelligence, their positions will be transformed into a new space operations specialization.
The move aligns with a broader Defense Department effort to strengthen space capabilities in light of China's advances in anti-satellite technology. Military analysts note, that since satellite communication, GPS navigation and space reconnaissance are becoming increasingly important for ground operations, the Army's investment in dedicated space personnel reflects the growing interdependence of traditional ground warfare with capabilities in newer domains.
Source: https://spacenews.com/army-creates-space-career-field-for-enlisted-soldiers/