Prior to the Implementation of Part-Time Guardians, the U.S. Space Force Needs to Address Promotions, Human Resources, and Further Essential Matters
Bringing Part-Time Guardians into the Space Force: Challenges, Timelines, and Adaptations
The Space Force faces a myriad of challenges as it attempts to integrate part-time Guardians into its ranks, instead of a traditional Reserve component. Among these challenges are the development of a new system for handling promotions, addressing conflicts of interest, and modernizing HR systems.
Katharine Kelley, the service's personnel chief, revealed that the Space Force Personnel Management Act passed by Congress last December provides a five-year window for implementation. However, she cautioned that a definitive timeline has not been established yet due to the complexity of these tasks.
The first year of the given timeline has been spent laying groundwork and setting up the process for Air Force Reservists with space missions to join the Space Force full time. Now, the focus shifts to creating an IT ecosystem to support the HR system that modernizes the current Air Force system.
Pay and benefits, retirement calculations, and VA benefits for part-time Guardians are among the technical challenges the Space Force is addressing. With over 300 systems currently in play across DOD managing talent, either these systems must be adjusted to accommodate part-time and full-time Guardians or replaced. This process is complicated by the reliance on the Air Force for support functions, including HR.
Promotions for part-time and full-time Guardians will also require adjustments, with a preferred promotion ecosystem valued by credentialing, certifications, qualifications, and training. The Space Force aims to recognize the value of both work roles, full-time and part-time.
Ethical concerns regarding part-time Guardians with jobs in the space industry do exist, but measures the Reserve and Guard already employ in this area might be applied by the Space Force. Given the flexibility sought for part-time Guardians, the service may need to exercise increased vigilance in defining acceptable duties for these part-time personnel.
Progress has been made in defining the roles part-time Guardians will occupy, such as test and evaluation, training, teaching, or planning. However, there remains much that is unsettled, and a clear picture is yet to emerge.
There is urgency to address these issues given the demand from combatant commanders for increasing force multiplication options.
Space Force Personnel Management:
As the Space Force develops, it is reevaluating its HR systems, handling promotions, and managing conflicts of interest for part-time Guardians. The Organize, Train, Equip mission of the Space Systems Command (SSC) and the Enterprise Talent Management Office may play key roles in these adaptations.
Part-time Guardians could be evaluated on performance and career development opportunities for promotions. Conflict of interest management might involve ensuring that outside activities do not compromise the Guardians' duties or access to sensitive information, although specific protocols are currently not detailed.
- The Space Force Personnel Management Office is tasked with addressing the challenges of integrating part-time Guardians, including the development of a new promotion system and the management of conflicts of interest.
- The Organize, Train, Equip mission of the Space Systems Command and the Enterprise Talent Management Office could play significant roles in the Space Force's adoption of modern HR systems and the adaptation to part-time Guardians.
3.Promotions for part-time Guardians will be based on performance and career development opportunities, emphasizing credentials, certifications, qualifications, and training.
- The Space Force seeks to develop specific protocols to manage conflicts of interest, ensuring that outside activities do not compromise the Guardians' duties or access to sensitive information.
- With the urgency of increasing force multiplication options, a clear picture of the roles and responsibilities of part-time Guardians is crucial, as they may be involved in areas such as test and evaluation, training, teaching, or planning.
