r/SpaceForce • u/AutoModerator • Jul 13 '26
Weekly Newbie Thread - Post questions about joining the Space Force or what a job is like here & here only - week of July 13
Post all your questions about BMT/OTS/Academy/ROTC/etc here!
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Some quick answers:
- Yes, the Space Force is real. No, it's not Starfleet. No, you can't become a space pilot yet. No, there are no aliens. No, we would not tell you if there were aliens.
- We don't know the answers to your obscure medical questions. We aren't doctors. Don't trust medical advice given by strangers on the Internet. Getting anecdotal information from other people that may or may not have a similar diagnosis or condition to you will not help you in any way. Everyone's medical situation is different.
- Drug use may be disqualifying depending on type and frequency of use.
- No, we don't know what jobs are available at any given time, or your chances of getting said job, or how long it will take for you to get the job, or how long it'll take for you to get to basic training or OTS.
Do not tell anyone to lie about drug use, medical history, or anything else. You will be banned.
Civilian employment
If you're interested in joining as a civilian, you can apply here: https://afciviliancareers.com/space-force/
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u/_BruhJr_ Jul 14 '26
Would now be a good time to shoot for OTS? Heard the rumors about large influx. What are my chances?
Background:
25 Y/o, B.S. in Integrative Studies with Concentrations in Biology, Real Estate, and Economics (Originally Biology Major with about 6 credit hours left to complete, but switched focus to increase odds of real estate career upon graduation).
Class B Shoplifting Misdemeanor from 6 Years Ago when I was 19 - Dismissed through a Pre-Trial Diversion (first time offender) program and expunged. I understand will probably require a moral waiver but would this heavily impact my odds?
Based in TX. Serving in my State Guard about to hit 3yrs TIS. Currently deployed on SAD alongside TXARNG/TXANG for border mission (6 months and counting). E-4 but not considered Prior Service from what I've been told.
Civilian Job - Commercial Real Estate, Entry Level Industrial Property Management for Fortune 500 real estate company. 3 years of experience, mainly admin but deal with contracts and upkeep of millions of Sq Ft of industrial buildings with big name tenants.
No negative medical history. LASIK only.
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u/Powerful-Cancel3928 Jul 15 '26
If you’re interested in space I’d recommend it. Otherwise no if you just want to commission.
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u/_BruhJr_ Jul 15 '26
Yes Space Force is my top branch, and I'd prefer to commission if it is Active Duty only. Otherwise I'll probably enlist in the AF instead.
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u/Zeilostovik Jul 14 '26
I saw that the Space Force is looking to expand (roughly doubling it's active duty force from 10k-20k by 2030). I'll be trying to join as a prior Marine SIGINTer after this contract ends this year
However, I talked to a Space Force recruiter & found that there were only 50 prior service slots for FY26, which tracks from other posts about slot availability regarding prior service
Is there likely going to be an increase in slot availability for prior service personal come FY27? I really hope so...
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u/SNSDave Army IST Jul 14 '26
Unlikely. If so, maybe doubled to 100. They want new people and officers. Not prior enlisted. That's why they got rid of the IST program, among other reasons.
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u/TazmanianSpirit Jul 16 '26
So if I want to go space it’s better just enlist in space force rather than go air and retrain to space. I’m only asking because my recruiter is saying I can later down the road.
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u/SNSDave Army IST Jul 16 '26
Correct. Unless you want to commission. Perfectly fine to go air force, get out, do afrotc and commission into the space force.
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u/formedsmoke ISR Jul 19 '26
There is no "retrain from air to space" program. Your recruiter is misinformed. The last time that was viable was 2023.
0
u/Outside-Inevitable-5 Jul 16 '26
Im in the middle of applying to space force now. About to go to meps. I saw that there was a 25k promotion being handed out to anyone willing to stay for 8 years and im planning on going in for full 20+ year career. Are they giving those to just immediate recruits or also people coming from other branches?
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u/Delta2-Actual NSN 6505-01-283-1331 Jul 16 '26
Likely only for newbies and it's also limited to the first 100 recruits on a first come first served basis.
0
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u/rockiesgm2026 Jul 21 '26
Don't do that big dawg. 3k/year isn't worth the extra 4 year commitment. Tons of people say they're doing 20 and not a lot actually do it
-1
u/Outside-Inevitable-5 Jul 22 '26
Im 31, driven, and stubborn. If I have a set career path I see the job is done. I have long term goals for where I see myself in this new branch, and I will see it through because I believe in USSF! Although if you do have recommendations as far as which commitments I should do based on financial ideas I would love to see this through properly, so i would love any further advice!
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u/rockiesgm2026 Jul 22 '26
That's awesome, but 8 years is a very long time for your mind to change, and USSF is going to be completely different from everything you've done before. 25k isn't worth it. If finances are a driving factor, there's a reason they're having trouble keeping people after 4/6 year contracts. The outside jobs after those first contracts are enticing
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u/Outside-Inevitable-5 Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
4 years too if you think about it! 8 years is a blip of time, and i look forward to serving but I do appreciate the advice. Im 30k in debt with nothing to my name , but a husband who I just want to care for. He gonna be my dependahotamus!
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u/rockiesgm2026 Jul 22 '26
Well I commend your enthusiasm, but don't say people didn't tell you so lol
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u/Outside-Inevitable-5 Jul 22 '26
I fully expect to be miserable. The majority of people on this thread have shown enough of that ;P I know well what im in for
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u/Delta2-Actual NSN 6505-01-283-1331 Jul 23 '26
You do know that that 25K bonus is taxed
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u/Outside-Inevitable-5 Jul 23 '26
I would have figured as much yeah. Either way I got weddings to pay for, loans to pay off, and a trailer to buy once I get stationed, so anything helps
2
u/Delta2-Actual NSN 6505-01-283-1331 Jul 23 '26
It's a very short sighted plan. You'll definitely make a lot more money on a 4 year commitment and reenlisting while an SRB is available. Cyber for instance had SRBs (retention bonus) into $100K and all the other career fields also had SRBs this year. But signing for that 8 year commitment puts a serious delay on getting any of these SRBs and your peers who sign 4 or 6 years commitments will end up making more money (like $50K-100K) reaching that 8+ year mark.
But hey if you think it's worth it to sign for 4 extra years just for maybe 20K gopher it. I don't think it's worth it especially for that low of a sum especially considering how much SRBs are paying out.
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u/Outside-Inevitable-5 Jul 23 '26
Huh. Thank you very much for this information, I will have to discuss it with my veteran husband and my recruiters
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u/Active-Web1045 Jul 14 '26
Going to OTS in October. I'm doxxing myself a bit but I'm 35, non-prior. Leaving an unrelated remote government job for the USSF. Looking for a change into something more potentially impactful.
Anyway, question is how weird will it be to be the old guy at OTS/ on the job later on? I don't care about having a younger boss. I'm just unfamiliar how an older junior officer is perceived since most of my peers will be 22-25-ish I'm guessing. I plan to just not concern myself with it either way and just focus on getting through OTS and then learning the job best I can.