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GuardiansWanted
Select Your Path
Whether you plan to join as enlisted, an officer or civilian, there are various qualifications you must meet. You can view our standards for each path here.
Apply
You can apply through a Space Force recruiter via telephone, your local recruitment office or our website. Once you’re confirmed to meet all qualifications, you’ll work with a recruiter to be processed into testing. Click here to find your local recruiter.
FAQ
Our mission is to defend our nation and its freedom to operate in space. With a singular focus on this domain, we train, equip and deploy forces to improve defense technology, global security, communication and provide independent options to achieve national objectives by applying military spacepower.
To enlist in the Space Force, you must meet the following criteria:
Basic requirements:
- Be 17–42 years of age.
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Have a high school diploma or GED with 15 college credits.
As an enlisted Guardian, you’ll be paid based on rank, location, your position and years of service. Plus, you’ll receive an amazing benefits package, which includes:
Insurance
Guardians and their families receive low-rate insurance plans, each with comprehensive medical and dental care at military or civilian facilities. Plus, you get full pay and allowances for sick days.
Food and Housing
Living expenses are covered for those who choose to live on base. You’ll receive a monthly tax-free allowance based on rank, location and family status.
Food allowance is also provided, and single Guardians receive a free meal account, covering up to four meals a day at on-base dining facilities. On-base, tax-free department and grocery stores are also available, with low-cost prices for standard amenities.
Retirement
The Space Force, under the Department of the Air Force, offers a generous retirement plan which operates within the Blended Retirement System, providing benefits similar to those of many civilian 401(k) plans with employer-matched contributions. This plan combines two main sources of retirement savings: a monthly retirement income for Guardians who serve a minimum of 20 years and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which includes automatic and matching government contributions.
Recreation
Most Space Force bases are equipped with golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools and full-service gyms, along with arts and crafts facilities. All are either free for use or at lower rates than similar facilities off base.
Bases also offer social and recreational programs for Space Force family members. These offer enlisted clubs and base-sponsored youth programs.
Vacation and Travel
All Guardians get 30 days of paid vacation per year. They can travel on Air Force aircraft to almost any U.S. state and many international destinations. Additionally, for destinations near military facilities, they qualify for reduced-rate hotel lodging.
Education
Enlisting in the Space Force offers a wide range of educational opportunities, which include scholarships for Guardians who wish to pursue ongoing education. Enlisted Guardians can receive up to 100% tuition assistance through the Air Force Tuition Assistance Program, the Montgomery GI Bill or Post-9/11 GI Bill. Members select which option to take based on what’s best for them.
The Montgomery GI Bill offers over $35,000 per student, and is paid monthly to those enrolled in college on a half- to full-time basis. To qualify, Guardians must first complete two years of service, at which point, they have up to 10 years after honorable discharge to use these benefits.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides eligible, active duty Guardians up to 36 months of benefits for education and training outside of the Space Force. Benefits may be used for undergraduate and graduate degree programs, technical and vocational training, school supplies, tutorial assistance and housing. Typically, benefits are payable for 15 years following release from active duty and may be transferred to spouses or dependent children.
Civilian Guardian receive very similar benefits to that of Active Duty Guardians. These include:
Competitive Salary
Our salaries for civilian employees compare well within the employment marketplace. All are based on years of expertise, job title and station location.
Insurance
The Space Force offers Guardians and their families top-of-the-line, low-rate insurance plans, each with comprehensive medical and dental care at military or civilian facilities. Additionally, we provide full pay and allowances for sick days and life insurance.
Retirement
The Space Force offers immediate coverage through a tiered Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which includes a basic benefits plan, Social Security and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
Education
The Space Force offers full-time paid internships for students currently attending college or who have recently graduated with hands-on training and available tuition assistance. Once successfully completed, students are offered a full-time position with the Space Force.
Work-life Balance
The Space Force values a strong balance between work, family and other responsibilities. Therefore, 40-hour workweeks are the norm. Your work schedule will be predictable, yet flexible, giving you time to handle your personal needs as they arise.
As a Space Force civilian employee, you’ll likely work at a nearby Space Force base where we offer many family-friendly amenities such as child care, entertainment, shopping and recreation facilities, giving you plenty of ways to enjoy time outside of work hours within a close vicinity.
To join the Space Force, you must successfully complete the following steps:
APTITUDE TESTING
You must take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), which covers four critical areas to our mission: arithmetic reasoning, mathematics knowledge, word knowledge and paragraph comprehension. This helps identify your ideal career path.
APPLICATION
Once you successfully complete the ASVAB, you’ll be eligible to apply and complete your application through a local recruitment office.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL SCREENING
You’ll be assessed for your moral and physical standards as set by federal law, the Space Force and Department of Defense. During the process, you’ll be assigned a job counselor to take you through your career options based on your scores and qualifications.
BASIC MILITARY TRAINING (BMT) PREPARATION
After passing the necessary requirements, you’ll be placed in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP), where you wait to be selected and entered into Basic Military Training. It’s best to work on physical conditioning to prepare.
Guardians attend the same Basic Military Training as enlisted Airmen with the addition of a Space Force–specific curriculum. This includes physical training and testing and 21 hours of instruction covering emotional intelligence, Space Force Structure and senior-leader briefings about military doctrine.
Chat With A Recruiter
We have recruiters across the country who are happy to answer any questions and help you get started.