Space Force Builds Civilian Guardian Identity
The service is adding training to foster a shared culture among its civilian workers, who make up about one-third of its workforce.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Military Jobs
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The Space Force is pursuing training and professional development to instill a guardian identity in its civilian employees. The service is requesting funding for around 7,200 civilian jobs in 2027, a 40% increase over 2026.
Why it matters
The effort comes as the service works to rebuild its civilian workforce after the Trump administration's push to slash federal jobs. For the United States, it shows how a newer military branch is defining the role of civilians alongside uniformed troops.
The Space Force has requested more than $71 billion for fiscal 2027 and around 7,200 civilian jobs, a 40% increase over 2026. Whether Congress approves that funding remains unresolved.
The players
Space Force
The newest branch of the U.S. military, created in 2019 and focused on space operations, which is now nearly 7 years old.
Department of the Air Force
The military department that technically employs Space Force civilians and oversees the service's secretariat staff.
The details
The service is adding new training and professional development for civilian employees to build a shared service culture. It is also considering a path for civilians similar to the one created for uniformed troops, spanning acquisition and operations.
Timeline
Following the Trump administration's push to slash federal jobs, the Space Force began rebuilding its civilian workforce.
In November 2026, Schiess discussed civilian guardian identity at an Air Force Association event.
In 2027, the service is requesting funding for around 7,200 civilian jobs.
Market Landscape
The Space Force's civilian rebuilding comes after the Trump administration's push to slash federal jobs, marking a reversal in staffing direction for the service. The effort to create a civilian guardian identity reflects how the newer branch is shaping its workforce structure against the older services.
Civilians who work for the Space Force may be employed through the Department of the Air Force before moving to the Space Force. The new training and possible career paths could affect how civilian employees build careers across acquisition and operations.
The takeaway
Civilian employees make up roughly a third of the Space Force, and the service is now investing in training and career paths to treat them as full members of the mission. Watch whether Congress funds the requested civilian jobs, since that will determine how far this shared culture can expand.
Further reading
For more on how military branches recruit and staff their civilian workforces, see Military Jobs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Federal News Network.
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