Critical Review of the Navy Space Cadre

The U.S. Navy has placed doctrinal emphasis on space-based capabilities as a key enabler of naval operations since 1959. But the service has not provided the associated organizational focus necessary to develop an educated, experienced, and qualified professional space cadre. Despite this management shortcoming, the Navy remains critically reliant on capabilities provided by space-based assets and has continued to exploit these capabilities. This thesis critically reviews the current Navy Space Cadre and recent trends affecting its future. The origin of the cadre, management of its billet base, professional development of members, and future structure are examined. While the Navy Space Cadre meets minimum requirements set forth in Department of Defense and Department of the Navy directives, this study finds the effectiveness of the cadre is reduced due to a poor understanding of future requirements, an underdeveloped training and education progression, a non-standardized approach to operational unit support, and an undefined career path for cadre members. Recommendations are presented to improve the effectiveness without a wholesale restructuring of the community.