DECEMBER
U.S. Military Forces in FY 2022
Space, SOF, Civilians, and Contractors
Mark F. Cancian
is paper is part of U.S. Military Forces in FY 2022. Military forces include the Space Force (fully established
but still defining itself), Special Operations Forces (shifting their strategic focus), Department of Defense
(DOD) civilians (still growing because of linkage to readiness), and contractors (a permanent element of
force structure despite some criticism).
KEY TAKEAWAYS
U.S. Space Force
▪ Major elements of the U.S. Space Force (USSF), such as a service headquarters, appropriations
accounts, training and educational commands, operational headquarters, and systems command, have
been established. e shape of the acquisition organization and related acquisition processes are major
unresolved questions.
▪ Personnel and organizations continue to transfer to the new service, though there may be controversy
about remaining transfers as the Army and Navy seek to retain some space capabilities.
▪ Major space issues include creation of a guard and reserve component, the balance of oensive and
defensive capabilities, international agreements on “responsible” behavior, and the balance between
commercial and military capabilities.
▪ e USSF’s small size will require heavy reliance on other services, particularly the Air Force, for
support functions as well as a dierent approach to personnel management.
Special Operations Forces
▪ Special Operations Forces (SOF) continues its gradual expansion and shifts focus away from
counterinsurgency toward great power conflict.
▪ Nevertheless, the strategic shift raises questions about SOF’s long-term size.
▪ SOF has (so far) successfully transitioned its funding away from heavy dependence on war funding
accounts.
