Program readies space professionals

Published Sept. 15, 2006
By Trisha Schmalz
Air Force Space Command Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) -- Who exactly is a space professional?

Some might say it's someone who earns his living in space. According to the Summer 2004 edition of the High Frontier Journal, a space professional is defined as someone who is "skilled and knowledgeable in the development, application and integration of space concepts, doctrine and capabilities to achieve national security objectives."

Since the 2001 Space Commission, there has been a push to develop, mentor and educate space professionals. Air Force Space Command is the agency to support this aim for the nation's military space warriors.

"If we are going to be a leader in space, science and technology in the future and maintain the leadership we enjoy today, we are going to need some homegrown leaders in the future who understand the intricacies (of) .... how to operate space and develop space assets for the future," said Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, AFSPC commander .

"The initial catalyst (for the push in career development) was the commission's report. It identified that our senior leaders don't have enough space experience, and there isn't a focused career path for our space professionals," said Maj. Denise Harris of the Space Professional Management Office here.

The objective of program is to eventually align people with jobs based upon their education, training, experience and certification status.

"We've identified the space professional Air Force specialty codes as officers and enlisted space operators, as well as scientists, engineers and program managers," Major Harris said. "To be credentialed as a space professional, individuals must meet certain certification criteria. Credentialed space professionals, or CSPs, are subject to the established certification requirements."

The Space 100, 200 and 300 classes in the curriculum will help prepare the students for future positions and assignments by offering space education at career milestones.

"Space 100 sets up (the CSPs) with a baseline knowledge," Major Harris said. "Then we lay out that foundation early on and give them guidance of what we expect to see from them for their 20 years, whether they are enlisted or officers."

Space 200 brings the space professionals back for a four-week course at the eight- to 10-year point for officers and the nine- to 11-year point for staff/technical sergeants. It builds on what was taught during Space 100 and what the students have learned and experienced during their early duty assignments.

Space 300 targets the 13- to 15-year officers and 14- to 16-year enlisted Airmen. It is at this certification level where CSPs begin to prepare for senior leadership roles in the space career field.

Officials from SPMO are spreading the word about the development program by visiting the command's installations and speaking with Airmen about what is expected of them during their career, and how important it is to continue their education.

"As we visit these bases and talk to supervisors, we emphasize that it's their role to help young officers and enlisted focus on what their areas of space expertise are going to be," Major Harris said. "We encourage them to get their degrees in space-related areas so they can bring that knowledge back to the field."

While the civilian segment of the Space Professional Development Program is still in its infancy, civilians will be eligible to attend the same classes as officers and enlisted members.

"Part of this program included going through and identifying every space billet we have in the Air Force; we are now doing the same with the civilian billets," Major Harris said. "We are looking at what the requirements are for those jobs, what level should they be, what education they should come in with and how many years do they have in a certain mission area.

"The bottom line is that it is vital to the effectiveness and efficiency of the AFSPC mission that its inventory of space professionals match the requirements of current billets, and that CSP development addresses future requirements," Major Harris said.

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