Director of Space Forces: Refocused for the Way Ahead

Space capabilities are no longer novelties, rather, they are vitally important to the joint warfighter at every level. While there is very little debate about the ever-increasing significance or usefulness of space to the joint warfighter, the command and control C2 of space forces at the operational level has been an evolutionary challenge with the creation of the Director of Space Forces DIRSPACEFOR during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. While the construct has worked well in OIF, the doctrinal disposition of the DIRSPACEFOR has been inhibited by the fact that it is seen as an Air Force solution. In order to move forward on the DIRSPACEFOR construct, this paper uncovers the underlying parochial motivations that are hindering progress, thus enabling a clear perspective for the way ahead focused on unity of effort. This paper does not attempt to solve the parochial inclinations or even dictate the best C2 structure instead, it reframes the polarizing issues surrounding the DIRSPACEFOR position to appropriately concentrate on the unique nature of space requirements and missions, rather than on the medium and ownership. Unity of effort, not an unrealistic unity of command, must be the mandate. This paper recommends incorporation of a revamped joint, inter-agency DIRSPACEFOR-like construct centered on unity of effort, while reinforcing the flexibility of the joint force commander JFC to structure space forces based upon the mission, not presumed ownership.