A Sabre short-range ballistic missile launches in June 2017 at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., for a test of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement, an advanced missile defense system. (U.S. Army)
WASHINGTON — Enlisted soldiers have until April 30 to apply for a new space operations specialty, the Army announced this week.
The new career field, known as 40D tactical space operations specialist, is expected to be in place by Oct. 1. The specialty is open to Army active duty, National Guard and Reserve component soldiers, the Army said in a statement.
“The establishment of 40D [Military Occupational Specialty] will alleviate the burden on other Army branches who are lending their soldiers to space operations,” Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command commanding general, said in August. “This new space operations MOS is designed to build a robust and experienced noncommissioned officer corps in Army space and will ensure that Army space formations are equipped with soldiers who have experience in space operations.”
The Army forecasts about 1,000 40D billets, which could grow up to 1,500 by 2032.
Since U.S. Space Command was established by President Donald Trump in 2019, the military services have been building up their respective space capabilities. That same year, Trump also established the Space Force as a separate military branch.
The 40D soldiers will attend the Space and Missile Defense Center of Excellence at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Notifications of selection board results are expected in the summer, and initial selectees will transition to the 40D MOS and attend training beginning Oct. 1, according to the Army.
