US Space Force Plans To Add 10,000 Guardians Over Five Years, Doubling Its Uniformed Ranks

The U.S. Space Force plans to add 10,000 guardians over the next five years, which would double its uniformed ranks, Defense News reported.

Space Training and Readiness Commander Maj. Gen. James E. Smith told reporters on Sept. 15 at the Air & Space Forces Association's 2026 Air, Space & Cyber Conference that the growth depends on recruiting more than 200 guardians and civilian specialists as instructors. They are needed ahead of a large rise in student numbers.

Smith said the service understands the requirements of right-sizing the Space Force and is fully postured to meet the goals for FY27. He described the 10,000 additional guardians as the target, with a significant portion of the growth coming in the first year. He added that predictable budget resources will remain vital as the service scales up operations to keep its FY27 momentum.

According to the service, the Space Force employed more than 14,000 civilian and military guardians as of 2024, with around 9,400 of them on active duty. The release said STARCOM will work to rapidly onboard and qualify the new personnel so they can handle the incoming students. In fiscal 2027, the command plans to expand its Basic Military Training channel by more than 90% to take 1,400 recruits at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Initial skills courses will also expand to match the higher student numbers.

Enlisted professional military education is to grow by nearly 120%, training more than 1,300 students annually. Officer Training School will "scale its pipeline" by nearly 600% to prepare around 850 officer trainees, according to the statement.

Air Force ROTC expects commissions to rise by 100% next year, to around 200 guardians. After commissioning, new officers go to OTC, which is housed at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. Enrollment there is expected to increase by 275% to more than 1,350 officers in the next fiscal year.

Officer professional military education will eventually take in an additional 1,600 students, a 330% increase.