NOTICE: This publication is available digitally on the AFDPO WWW site at:
http://www.e-publishing.af.mil.
BY ORDER OF THE
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE POLICY DIRECTIVE 36-37
23 MARCH 2006
PERSONNEL
SPACE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
OPR: HQ AFSPC/A1FX
(Col Edward A. Fienga)
Certified by: HQ USAF/A3SP
(Col Wayne P. Hudson)
Pages: 5
Distribution: F
1. This policy directive implements DoDD 5101.2, “DoD Executive Agent for Space,” 3 Jun 03, para-
graph 6.3.5: “(Heads of the DoD Components shall) develop and maintain a sufficient cadre of
space-qualified personnel to support their Component in space planning, programming, acquisition, and
operations. Support the DoD Executive Agent for Space with space cadre personnel to represent their
Component in DoD-wide planning, programming and acquisition activities.” The purpose of this Direc-
tive is to delineate key leadership responsibilities and authorities for managing the Air Force Space Pro-
fessional Development Program (SPDP). The SPDP is derived from the USAF Space Professional
Strategy (16 Apr 2003), developed in response to a report by the Congressionally-appointed “Commis-
sion to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organization” (Jan 2001), and a
subsequent SECDEF implementation memorandum (18 Oct 2001) on “National Security Space Manage-
ment and Organization.” This AFPD does not supersede any existing AFPD. It applies to the Total Force
Credentialed Space Professional Community (CSPC), which includes officers, civilians, enlisted, Guard
and Reserve who design, acquire, employ, operate, and integrate our nation’s military space capabilities.
Refer recommended changes and conflicts between this and other publications to HQ AFSPC/A1FX, 150
Vandenberg Street, Suite 150, Peterson AFB CO 80914-4450, on Air Force (AF) Form 847, Recommen-
dation for Change to Publication.
2. SPDP is designed to expand knowledge, increase understanding and raise the overall qualifications of
Air Force Credentialed Space Professionals (CSP) to serve as equal partners with other warfighting com-
ponents in the joint warfare environment. This directive establishes policies to ensure appropriate space
education, training and experience programs are available to all eligible Air Force and DoD personnel.
3. The Air Force provides general professional development to Space Professionals along with special-
ized training and education to fill requirements established by the Space Professional Functional Author-
ity (AFSPC/CC), as well as applicable Force Development teams and career field functional managers
(AFPD 36-23). A comprehensive SPDP will produce highly qualified experts to build, operate and inte-
