ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- Air Force Reservists in space-related career fields interested in volunteering to join the U.S. Space Force as Guardians serving in a part-time capacity can apply from Sept. 3 to Oct. 10.
This transfer option is part of the Space Force Personnel Management Act, which was signed into law as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. The first phase of PMA, which selected Air Force Reservists for full time Space Force roles, was completed June 2025.
When fully implemented, PMA will enable the Space Force to create a new model of service that integrates active-component Guardians and Air Force Reservists serving in space-focused career fields into a unified service that offers both full- and part-time service options. This new construct will permit the Space Force to forego the use of Reserve component forces to fill steady-state, full-time requirements and will maximize talent alignment to service needs.
“This part-time opportunity is an important next step toward fully integrating the talent we need into a single component, best equipped to ensure readiness and achieve our nation’s warfighting missions,” said Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman.
Air Force Reserve eligibility includes:
· Air Force Reserve Officers who hold the following Core IDs: 13S; 17X; 14N; 6X.
· Air Force Reserve Enlisted Airmen who hold the following Control Air Force Specialty Codes: 1C6X1; 1N0; 1N1; 1N2; 1N3; 1N4; 1N8; 1D7X1; 1D7X2; 1D7X3.
· Eligibility outside of 13S and 1C6 must have space experience. The Transfer Board will review duty history to ensure at least one prior assignment in a space organization is reflected.
· Eligible service members must be fully trained in the career field in which they are applying.
Selected Airmen must transfer in their current career field, with the following exceptions: Officers selected from the 61X, 64P, and 65X career fields will re-core to 62E or 63A Space Force Specialty Codes. Enlisted E-8s and E-9s selected for transfer will re-core to the 5Z800 or 5Z900 SFSCs.
“The Space Force is about to integrate some of the most professional space operators,” said Chief of the Air Force Reserve and Air Force Reserve Command Commander Lt. Gen. John Healy. “I have no doubt they will be key to advancing security in the space domain.”
In time, the Air Force Reserve, like the Air Force, will no longer maintain space operations as career fields, meaning Reservists with 13S and 1C6 specialties must volunteer to transfer to the Space Force or re-train under a different Air Force Specialty Code.
Officers selected for transfer to part time duty positions incur a minimum three-year service commitment. Enlisted Airmen must enlist in the Space Force for a minimum of three years, maximum six years.
Air Force Reservists who transfer into the Space Force with 15-18 years satisfactory service will be allowed to remain in a part-time work role until they qualify for retirement. Once retirement eligible, the member must participate in the Guardian Assignment Timeline for a full time or part time work role. These members may elect to participate in the GAT at any time for a full-time work role prior to retirement.
Interested Air Force Reservists can apply via MyVector (Common Access Card-required) and can access additional application details and requirements on the Space Force Transfer page. It is important to note that the Air Force Reservist to part-time Space Force transfer opportunity is distinct and separate from the Air National Guard to full-time Space Force transfer opportunity.