Schiess installed as Space Force’s highest-ranking officer

Gen. Douglas A. Schiess was sworn in as the Space Force’s chief of space operations during a Thursday change of responsibility ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., taking over the leadership of more than 15,000 uniformed and civilian members.

Schiess is the third officer to serve as leader of the military’s youngest branch, assuming the responsibility from Gen. Chance Saltzman, who has served as head of the Space Force since 2022. Saltzman retired from military service during a formal ceremony earlier in August, according to the Space Force.

“With all of your help, we have articulated the critical need for space to our nation and our national security. And we’ve built an organization capable of protecting and defending our interests in space,” Saltzman said at the ceremony, according to a Space Force news release.

The Senate confirmed Schiess’ promotion in August. Only six senators attended his confirmation hearing in July, an indication of the panel’s “confidence in you,” Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, said at the time.

“My charge is to enable our guardians to write the force’s exciting next chapter, one built on the remarkable legacy of our past leaders and the unflagging commitment of our current force,” Schiess said.

Schiess previously served as the Space Force’s deputy chief of operations. He began his military service in 1992 in the Air Force and transferred to the Space Force in 2022. He was promoted to a four-star general on Sept. 3. 

“We must build on our combat credibility and increase the number of options we provide to the president, the Chairman [of the Joint Chiefs of Staff] and the Joint Force,” Schiess said.

The Space Force seeks to nearly double its budget for 2027, requesting $71 billion for new weapons, facilities and training capabilities. Additionally, the service is looking to hire 2,000 civilians, after nearly 14% of its civilian employees left amid the administration’s push last year to shrink the federal workforce.

“I will be relentless in my efforts to ensure our Guardians are ready, our capabilities are resilient, our partnerships are strong and our service is worthy of the trust placed in us by the American people,” he said.