Space Force to establish first Guardian recruiting squadron – Washington Examiner
The U.S. Space Force, the newest branch of the military, is taking significant steps to establish its own recruiting squadron, distinct from the Air Force Recruiting Services that managed recruitment as the Space Force’s inception in December 2019. This transition aims to enhance the recruitment process for “Guardians,” the name given to Space Force personnel. Chief Master Sergeant John F. Bentivegna emphasized the importance of the Space Force taking responsibility for its own recruitment and investments in a structured approach.
The new recruitment center will be located in San Antonio, Texas, consolidating efforts that were previously disorganized. Brigadier General Christopher R. Amrhein noted the need for better coordination in recruitment, with a focus on integrating various support functions directly within the headquarters. The Space Force aims to have trained Guardians involved in shaping recruitment strategies by summer, marking a significant shift in its approach to attracting new members.
Space Force to establish first Guardian recruiting squadron
The U.S. Space Force, the youngest of the country’s eight uniformed services, is recruiting and will do so under its own Guardian title.
Space Force recruitment has been managed by Air Force Recruiting Services until now. It was founded on Dec. 20, 2019, during President Donald Trump’s first term. Now, after over five years in existence, the branch announced it is significantly changing its recruitment process, establishing a full Guardian squadron later in the year, according to Air & Space Forces Magazine.
“Guardian” is the title given to members of the Space Force. An announcement regarding the change in the recruiting process was made during the AFA Warfare Symposium.
“The Air Force has been a phenomenal partner with the Space Force in doing the recruiting for us. We didn’t have the infrastructure when we stood up,” said John F. Bentivegna, chief master sergeant of the Space Force. “But all that to be said, we recognize that this is a service responsibility. This is a service obligation to attract and recruit our own, so as we were building capacity.”
Bentivegna elaborated on plans to enhance recruiting and how the Space Force would change its approach. He said now was the time for the military branch to start “putting more skin” in recruitment.
“We have to start investing in recruiting,” Bentivegna said. “And we sent a couple of people down to the Recruiting Service to help facilitate the recruitment of Guardians in the Air Force ecosystem. But the big change was we were ready to start putting more skin in the game.”
As part of this process, the Space Force has plans to build its recruitment center and team, based in San Antonio, Texas, to head its efforts. Previously, recruiters and efforts to find interested applicants were slightly disorganized and “scattered.” Brig. Gen. Christopher R. Amrhein, the Air Force Recruiting Service commander, admitted this to Air & Space Forces Magazine.
“They were kind of scattered, and what we wanted to be able to do is have a consolidated squadron based out of San Antonio that is a direct report to the AFRS commander,” Amrhein said. “I wanted them to have literally the closest touch points, with marketing, with operations, with medical waivers, or our communications folks, because they’re building this, and so if they’re in and embedded around the headquarters, then those touch points are there.”
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Bentivegna was enthusiastic about the new approach, suggesting some changes Space Force recruiters could make to enhance strategies compared to recent years. Nevertheless, he envisioned much success for the service on the horizon.
“We started to identify Guardians who were going to help build the recruitment strategy for the service,” Bentivegna said. “They’ve actually gone to recruiting school with the Air Force, they went through that training, and they’re in the process. Several of them are already in Texas. Essentially, by the beginning of the summer, we’re hoping to have the initial cadre of trained Guardians that are down there, and then they’re going to start working through what is the recruiting strategy for the service.”
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