Chief of Space Operations

The chief of space operations (CSO) is a statutory office (10 U.S.C. § 9082) held by a general in the United States Space Force, and is the principal military adviser to the secretary of the Air Force for Space Force operations; and is in a separate capacity a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and thereby a military adviser to the National Security Council, the secretary of defense, and the president. The chief of space operations is typically the highest-ranking officer on active duty in the Space Force unless the chairman or the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are Space Force officers.

Chief of Space Operations
Space Staff Identification Badge
Flag of the Chief of Space Operations
Incumbent
General John W. Raymond
since 20 December 2019
United States Space Force
Space Staff
AbbreviationCSO
Member ofJoint Chiefs of Staff
Reports toSecretary of the Air Force
ResidenceSpace House, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C.[1]
SeatThe Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia
AppointerThe President
with Senate advice and consent
Term length4 years
Renewable one time, only during war or national emergency
Constituting instrument10 U.S.C. § 9082[2]
PrecursorCommander, Air Force Space Command
Formation20 December 2019
First holderJohn W. Raymond
DeputyVice Chief of Space Operations

The chief of space operations is an administrative position based in the Pentagon, and while they do not have operational command authority over Space Force forces, the chief of space operations does exercise supervision of Space Force units and organizations as the designee of the secretary of the Air Force.

Appointment

The chief of space operations is nominated by for appointment by the president, for a four-year term of office, and must be confirmed by the Senate. The chief can be reappointed to serve one additional term, but only during times of war or national emergency declared by Congress. By statute, the chief is appointed as a four-star general.[3]

Responsibilities
Space House, the residence of the chief of space operations, at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C.

Department of the Air Force

Under the authority, direction and control of the secretary of the Air Force, the chief of space operations presides over the Space Staff, acts as the secretary's executive agent in carrying out approved plans, and exercises supervision over organizations and members of the Space Force as determined by the secretary. The chief of space operations may also perform other duties as assigned by either the president, the secretary of defense or the secretary of the Air Force.[4]

Member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

The chief of space operations became a statutory member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on 20 December 2020. When performing duties as a member of the Joint Chiefs, the chief of space operations is responsible directly to the secretary of defense. Like the other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the CSO is an administrative position, with no operational command authority over Space Force forces.[4]

History
U.S. Vice President Pence swearing in Raymond as the Space Force's inaugural CSO.

The post of Chief of Space Operations was created, along with the United States Space Force, on 20 December 2019. General John W. Raymond, the commander of US Space Command and Air Force Space Command, was announced as the first chief of space operations on that same day.[5] On 14 January 2020, Raymond was sworn in as the first chief of space operations by Vice President Mike Pence.[6]

Space Staff
Main article: Structure of the United States Space Force

The Space Staff is the headquarters for the Space Force. It is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping of the Space Force cooperating with the Air Staff on support issues. It is headed by the chief of space operations and the vice chief of space operations, both four-star generals, and the chief master sergeant of the Space Force. There is also a director of staff who oversees the staff action group, protocol, information technology and administration, resources, and total force integration groups.[7] The chief of space operations also has three deputy chiefs of space operations.

Chiefs of space operations
No. Portrait Name Term Secretaries served under: Ref.
Took office Left office Duration Air Force Defense
1
General
John W. Raymond		20 December 2019Incumbent2 years, 123 daysBarbara Barrett[5]
John P. Roth (acting)
Frank Kendall III		Mark Esper
Lloyd Austin		[8]

See also

References
  1. Dietrich, Eric (12 December 2020). "CSO Holiday Event [Image 2 of 17]". Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.
  2. S. 254. 116th US Congress. p. 366. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  3. "10 U.S. Code § 9082 - Chief of Space Operations". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  4. "U.S. SPACE FORCE FACT SHEET". Official United States Space Force Website. United States Space Force. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  5. Ryan Browne (20 December 2019). "With a signature, Trump brings Space Force into being". CNN. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  6. "New Space Force uniforms are camo, but why?". ABC12.com. CNN\Gray News. 18 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  7. "SKM_C3851FS20020412000" (PDF). Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  8. "General John W. "Jay" Raymond". Official United States Space Force Website. December 2019. Archived from the original on 21 December 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2020.

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