New Command for US Space Force Amid Attrition Warnings

Operational Transition

General Douglas Schiess was officially sworn in as the third Chief of Space Operations (CSO) on Sept. 3, assuming command of the U.S. Space Force following the retirement of Gen. B. Chance Saltzman. Schiess, formerly the deputy chief for operations, now leads a service entering its seventh year of existence. During the transition at Joint Base Andrews, Schiess underscored that space superiority is the bedrock of modern economic and national security.

Strategic Deterrence

According to Payload, Schiess used his confirmation and swearing-in remarks to pivot toward a posture of active deterrence. He identified China and Russia as primary orbital threats, noting that adversaries are continuously developing tech to disrupt or destroy American space capabilities. While his stated goal is to avoid confrontation, he emphasized that the service must ensure no adversary views aggression as a viable path to success.

The Human Capital Deficit

However, leadership change is only half the battle. A recent RAND report, "Breaking Glass, Missing Hands," warns of a systemic vulnerability: the U.S. lacks the workforce depth to rapidly reconstruct military space infrastructure if assets are destroyed in combat. The report suggests the Space Force must treat the industrial workforce as a national security asset rather than a secondary market concern.

To mitigate this, RAND recommends several tactical shifts for the service:
Formalizing policies that link defense industrial talent to security priorities.
Expanding ROTC pathways to allow graduates to serve their obligations within private-sector space firms.
Increasing investment in automation to offset skilled labor gaps.
Standardizing internships and scholarships to secure the next generation of orbital technicians.