Space Force officials defend plan to consider alternatives to a Space National Guard

[Elderberry]

Space News by Sandra Erwin — March 5, 2020

The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act on Dec. 20 created the U.S. Space Force but did not direct the establishment of a Space National Guard

U.S. Space Force leaders were asked by lawmakers this week to explain why they have taken no action to establish a Space National Guard as a reserve component of the newest branch of the armed forces.

Their answer, in so many words, is that they’re just following the law.

The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act on Dec. 20 created the U.S. Space Force but did not direct the establishment of a Space National Guard. The law does require the Pentagon to submit a report this month with recommendation on how reserve components would support the U.S. Space Force.

Space Force officials said they value the contributions of the National Guard and reserves but they are contemplating a range of options besides establishing a Space National Guard.

“We have been directed by law to do a review of this, and so we are going to follow the law,” Gen. John Raymond, the chief of space operations of the U.S. Space Force, told the House Armed Services Committee. “We have an opportunity to look at how we would we do this,” he said. “Are there more efficient ways to do this for a service that is going to be about 16,000 people that is custom built for this domain?”

More: https://spacenews.com/space-force-officials-defend-plan-to-consider-alternatives-to-a-space-national-guard/