U.S. Army Launches Dedicated Space Operations Branch to Integrate Space Capabilities in Multidomain Warfare

Last week, the U.S. Army announced the creation of a Space Operations Branch, consolidating Army Space Operations Officers and enlisted Tactical Space Operations Specialists under MOS 40D (established 2025). The branch will field roughly 1,000 enlisted specialists, targeting 1,500 personnel by 2032.

U.S. Army Creates Space Operations Branch for First TimeUS Army Establishes a Space Operations Branch

Previously, space-trained soldiers rotated back to the Air Defense Artillery, Signal Corps, or Military Intelligence Corps after temporary assignments, leaving the Army reliant on “hundreds of thousands of space-enabled systems” without a dedicated career track.

US Army Establishes a Space Operations Branch

Key leaders include Lt. Gen. John Rafferty, commanding general of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command; Gen. Christopher LaNeve, vice chief of staff; and Sgt. Maj. John Foley (Ret.), former commander of the same command.

US Army Establishes a Space Operations Branch

MOS 40D was created in 2025; the branch starts with ~1,000 enlisted specialists, aiming for ~1,500 by 2032.

U.S. Army Creates Space Operations Branch for First Time

Rafferty stressed the Army’s role as the largest space user and called space integration essential for multidomain operations, describing the branch as a professional structure delivering space-based effects to troops at the tactical edge. LaNeve highlighted the need for warfighting expertise across all domains and expressed pride in cultivating space professionals at every echelon. Foley noted that enlisted specialists will operate in deep-enemy and extended-deep areas to support frontline units. The Army said the branch will relieve pressure on the Air Defense Artillery, Signal Corps and Military Intelligence Corps.

US Army Establishes a Space Operations BranchU.S. Army Creates Space Operations Branch for First Time

Embedding space specialists with tactical units enables satellite communications, navigation, targeting and missile-warning capabilities at the frontline, strengthening commanders’ ability to operate in contested, multidomain environments and offering a career path for space soldiers.

U.S. Army Creates Space Operations Branch for First Time

Recruitment for Tactical Space Operations Specialists began earlier this year; the Army plans to expand the branch toward the 1,500-soldier target by 2032 and to field units that staff and deploy satellite communications and missile-warning systems at the tactical edge.

US Army Establishes a Space Operations Branch

• “The Army is the largest user of space capabilities in the joint force, and space integration is absolutely critical to multidomain operations at every echelon,” — Lt. Gen. John Rafferty, Commanding General, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command

U.S. Army Creates Space Operations Branch for First Time

• “Establishing the Space Operations Branch is an important step in the Army’s continuous transformation. It provides the Army with the professional structure to deliver space-based effects directly to our Soldiers and units at the tactical edge, enabling commanders to fight and win in a contested, multidomain environment,” — Lt. Gen. John Rafferty, Commanding General, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command

U.S. Army Creates Space Operations Branch for First Time

• “Land power requires warfighting expertise in all domains. What makes me proud is that our Army is not just building a capability, we’re growing professionals at every echelon,” — Gen. Christopher LaNeve, Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army

U.S. Army Creates Space Operations Branch for First Time

• “operate in deep-enemy and extended-deep areas,” — Sgt. Maj. John Foley (Ret.), Former Leader, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command

US Army Establishes a Space Operations Branch