Apply to Join the Space Force | U.S. Space Force (2024)

To enlist in the Space Force, you must meet the following criteria:

Basic requirements:

• Be 17–42 years of age.
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Obtain a qualifying ASVAB score.

As an enlisted Guardian, you’ll be paid based on rank, location, your position and years of service. Plus, you’ll receive an amazing benefits package, which includes:

Insurance

Guardians and their families receive low-rate insurance plans, each with comprehensive medical and dental care at military or civilian facilities. Plus, you get full pay and allowances for sick days.

Food and Housing

Living expenses are covered for those who choose to live on base. You’ll receive a monthly tax-free allowance based on rank, location and family status.

Food allowance is also provided, and single Guardians receive a free meal account, covering up to four meals a day at on-base dining facilities. On-base, tax-free department and grocery stores are also available, with low-cost prices for standard amenities.

Retirement

The Space Force, under the Department of the Air Force, offers a generous retirement plan which operates within the Blended Retirement System, providing benefits similar to those of many civilian 401(k) plans with employer-matched contributions. This plan combines two main sources of retirement savings: a monthly retirement income for Guardians who serve a minimum of 20 years and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which includes automatic and matching government contributions.

Recreation

Most Space Force bases are equipped with golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools and full-service gyms, along with arts and crafts facilities. All are either free for use or at lower rates than similar facilities off base.

Bases also offer social and recreational programs for Space Force family members. These offer enlisted clubs and base-sponsored youth programs.

Vacation and Travel

All Guardians get 30 days of paid vacation per year. They can travel on AirForce aircraft to almost any U.S. state and many international destinations. Additionally, for destinations near military facilities, they qualify for reduced-rate hotel lodging.

Education

Enlisting in the Space Force offers a wide range of educational opportunities, which include scholarships for Guardians who wish to pursue ongoing education. Enlisted Guardians can receive up to 100% tuition assistance through the AirForce Tuition Assistance Program, the Montgomery GI Bill or Post-9/11 GI Bill. Members select which option to take based on what’s best for them.

The Montgomery GI Bill offers over $35,000 per student, and is paid monthly to those enrolled in college on a half- to full-time basis. To qualify, Guardians must first complete two years of service, at which point, they have up to 10 years after honorable discharge to use these benefits.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides eligible, active duty Guardians up to 36 months of benefits for education and training outside of the Space Force. Benefits may be used for undergraduate and graduate degree programs, technical and vocational training, school supplies, tutorial assistance and housing. Typically, benefits are payable for 15 years following release from active duty and may be transferred to spouses or dependent children.

Civilian Guardian receive very similar benefits to that of Active Duty Guardians. These include:

Competitive Salary

Our salaries for civilian employees compare well within the employment marketplace. All are based on years of expertise, job title and station location.

Insurance

The Space Force offers Guardians and their families top-of-the-line, low-rate insurance plans, each with comprehensive medical and dental care at military or civilian facilities. Additionally, we provide full pay and allowances for sick days and life insurance.

Retirement

The Space Force offers immediate coverage through a tiered Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which includes a basic benefits plan, Social Security and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

Education

The Space Force offers full-time paid internships for students currently attending college or who have recently graduated with hands-on training and available tuition assistance. Once successfully completed, students are offered a full-time position with the Space Force.

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Work-life Balance

The Space Force values a strong balance between work, family and other responsibilities. Therefore, 40-hour workweeks are the norm. Your work schedule will be predictable, yet flexible, giving you time to handle your personal needs as they arise.

As a Space Force civilian employee, you’ll likely work at a nearby Space Force base where we offer many family-friendly amenities such as child care, entertainment, shopping and recreation facilities, giving you plenty of ways to enjoy time outside of work hours within a close vicinity.

To join the Space Force, you must successfully complete the following steps:

APTITUDE TESTING

You must take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), which covers four critical areas to our mission: arithmetic reasoning, mathematics knowledge, word knowledge and paragraph comprehension. This helps identify your ideal career path.

APPLICATION

Once you successfully complete the ASVAB, you’ll be eligible to apply and complete your application through a local recruitment office.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL SCREENING

You’ll be assessed for your moral and physical standards as set by federal law, the Space Force and Department of Defense. During the process, you’ll be assigned a job counselor to take you through your career options based on your scores and qualifications.

BASIC MILITARY TRAINING (BMT) PREPARATION

After passing the necessary requirements, you’ll be placed in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP), where you wait to be selected and entered into Basic Military Training. It’s best to work on physical conditioning to prepare.

Guardians attend the same Basic Military Training as enlisted Airmen with the addition of a Space Force–specific curriculum. This includes physical training and testing and 21 hours of instruction covering emotional intelligence, Space Force Structure and senior-leader briefings about military doctrine.