The approximately 2,400 Active-duty Airmen in the space systems operations and space operations career fields selected to join the Space Force will formally swear in to the new service this month in public and private ceremonies, highlighted by a large virtual swearing-in by the Chief of Space Operations.
The Airmen, officers, and enlisted members in the 13S and 1C6 career fields were initially selected to join the new service in July. CSO Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond will address the new members and lead a virtual swearing-in during the Air Force Association’s virtual Air, Space & Cyber Conference on Sept. 15.
“This is a momentous occasion for the Space Force and for each of these space professionals,” Raymond said in a release. “We intend to give our newest Space Force members and their families the special recognition they deserve, while at the same time share this historic event with the American people.”
In addition to the AFA event, new Space Force members can choose to have a private event, or local ceremonies where groups can be sworn in. During the ceremonies, the Airmen will officially separate from the Air Force and join the Space Force in their current rank. Enlisted members will take the Oath of Enlistment and sign their contracts, while officers will be administered the Oath of Office and sign commissioning documents. The new members will commit to at least two years of service, according to the release.
“There has been substantial planning behind the scenes between the Space Force and Air Force personnelists to get us to this day,” said Patricia Mulcahy, deputy chief of space operations for personnel and logistics, in the release. “We understand the personal circumstances that influence a member’s decision to volunteer for transfer, and I am incredibly proud of the team’s thoughtfulness put into every decision to ensure we provide members with as seamless a transfer process as possible.”
The Space Force is organizing town halls to answer questions about the process, with details available on the Air Force Portal.
In addition to these approximately 2,400 personnel, the Space Force is still working through the almost 9,000 volunteers who signed up for about 6,500 slots in the service. Those selections are expected this fall, with the transfers beginning Feb. 1, 2021.
While the Airmen will join the new service, they will keep their U.S. Air Force ranks for the time being as the Space Force waits on Congress to determine if they can name their own ranks or if proposed legislation forces the service to use naval ranks, the service’s Senior Enlisted Adviser Chief Master Sgt. Roger A. Towberman said Aug. 26.
The Space Force also announced Aug. 27 that it will largely adopt the Air Force’s uniform regulations for wearing the Operational Camouflage Pattern, with tweaks such as name, badge, and grade insignia in “Space Blue.”