The U.S. Space Force (USSF) is the newest branch of the Armed Forces, established on December 20, 2019, with enactment of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. The USSF is a military service that organizes, trains, and equips service members in order to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities to the joint force. USSF responsibilities include developing military space professionals, acquiring military space systems, maturing the military doctrine for space power, and organizing space forces to present to our Combatant Commands.  

Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) was redesignated as the USSF as an initial step in establishing the USSF. Military members that were assigned to AFSPC have now been assigned to the USSF. The Department of Defense (DoD) vision is to consolidate space missions from across the Armed Forces into the USSF, as appropriate and consistent with law. 

The Interservice Transfer program allows qualified individuals from other Uniformed Services to apply for transfer to active duty in the United States Space Force.

While publicized application windows have previously been made available, there is no projected IST application window at this time.

Recent enactment of the Space Force Personnel Management Act (PMA) has afforded the United States Space Force (USSF) the opportunity to create a single service in which members are not identified as Active Duty or Reservists, but rather as Guardians who serve in full-time or part-time roles.

Air Force Reserve professionals serving in the following Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSC) are eligible to apply for voluntary transfer to the Space Force.

• Officers: 13S, 14N, 17X, 6X
• Enlisted: 1C6X1, 1N0, 1N1, 1N2, 1N3, 1N4, 1N8, 1D7X1, 1D7X2, 1D7X3

The application window is currently closed. Should future IST opportunities become available, information (to include application timelines, processes, and program details) will be announced on the United States Space Force Transfer Opportunities Website. Application windows for Air Force Reservists interested in transferring to the Space Force in a part-time capacity are expected to open in 2026 once policies, processes and systems are established.

United States Space Force
https://www.spaceforce.mil/

Air Force’s Personnel Center
https://www.afpc.af.mil/Career-Management/ 

Careers in Space Force 
https://www.spaceforce.com/careers

PMA Tranche 1 Announcement
https://www.spaceforce.mil/Transfer-programs/

Personnel Management Act (PMA) for the US Space Force Frequently Asked Questions
https://www.spaceforce.mil/Portals/2/Documents/Foundational_Documents/PMA_Combined_FAQ_ao_2_Dec_24.pdf