The Command of the US Space Forces plans to transfer part of the personnel from the Air National Guard units to its structure to strengthen the personnel base of the newly created military formation. However, such an initiative is opposed by a number of governors, which consider, that it violates their right to command the guard forces of their states.
It is about 578 military personnel in six states, as well as at Air National Guard headquarters. They should enter the ranks of the Space Forces on the conditions of partial employment, while maintaining its current service model, but already under the jurisdiction of a federal agency, and not states. At the same time, the creation of a separate structure of the National Guard for the Space Forces was deemed impractical due to its small scale.
The biggest indignation is the loss of staff, that are involved in space missions, which are considered to be among the most promising in the military and civilian spheres. The loss of such specialists is not only a personnel problem, but also economic.
In April, the National Governors Association issued a formal protest against the transfers and called for an immediate end to such actions, demanding an open dialogue with the federal government.
The issue was also discussed at hearings in the US Congress, where it was stated, that many specialists want to stay in the National Guard, and their forced transfer could affect the morale and efficiency of the service.
Despite them, that Congress in the defense budget bill on 2025 year approved the transfer procedure, its implementation has not yet started due to the opposition of the states. Legislation provides, that every serviceman will get a choice: remain in the Guard with the possibility of retraining or transfer to the Space Forces. For those, who will agree to the transfer, is guaranteed the ability to stay in the home state for at least the next ten years.
Distribution of personnel, which is subject to translation, looks like this: Alaska – 33 persons, California – 126, Colorado - 119, Florida – 75, Hawaii – 130, Ohio - 69, ANG headquarters - 26.