Why Space Force Part-Timers Are Nothing Like Guard and Reserve

The Space Force revealed new details about its plan for part-time Guardians—and they aren’t like anything the military has seen before.  

Part-time service will be episodic, lasting for a tour or two, Space Force officials say, a complete shift from the classic one-weekend-a-month, two-weeks-a-year Guard and Reserve model that’s existed for decades.

“Our long-term vision is not necessarily this career-long part-time work role,” said Col. Matthew E. Holston. The Space Force anticipates having about 800 part-time positions.

Meanwhile, the service on Aug. 18 will begin reviewing applications by Air National Guard members to transition into the full-time Space Force. Those preferring part-time service will apply for part-time work.

Most part-time assignments will be for three years. “At the conclusion of the part-time assignment, members can compete for the same part-time assignment or another role, move to an inactive status, separate, or retire,” a spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine.

Commanders will regularly review part-time jobs to determine if mission requirements require a part- or full-time solution.

Part-time service is a way to retain Guardians whose family or other life circumstances might not enable them to continue on full-time active duty. Then the member can return after a few years when circumstances change again.

“We are designing it to try to incentivize you to come back to full-time,” said USSF Chief Human Capital Officer Katharine Kelley on a DefenseScoop podcast. “But what it does is allow people who might have a point in their life where say, you want to start a family or you’ve got an aging parent, and you need some flex, we can build that and have that.” 

Still, it does not appear that members will be barred from continuously reapplying for the same or similar part-time jobs. “Requests for a follow-on part-time assignment will be reviewed and matched based on current needs of the Space Force, informed by Guardian preferences,” the spokesperson said. “For the vast majority of Guardians, assignments—whether full- or part-time—will be managed through the annual Guardian Assignment Timeline process, providing both the service and Guardian stability through the assignment process.”

Leaders have previously said they anticipate part-time Guardians will focus on test, evaluation, training, or planning jobs, while operational assignments will be reserved for full-timers.

Holston said part-time jobs will be demanding. “Your minimum participation can be 36 days, but the expected work schedule will be set by the hiring authority, and it may be Monday through Friday work,” Holston said. “You may find opportunity for weekend work, but the hiring authority will define what the schedule looks like.” 

Conversions from the Reserve have already begun. The Space Force has already approved more than 250 Air Force Reservists to become full-time Guardians. Now Air Guard members can apply to become full-time Guardians. The application window opens Aug. 18 and runs through Sept. 19. Transfers are expected to take place in spring 2026, and those selected must commit to at least two years of service. 

Air Guardsmen in space-focused ANG units identified by the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act are eligible. They are members of these units: 

213th Space Warning Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard 
148th Space Operations Squadron, California Air National Guard 
216th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron, California Air National Guard 
137th Space Warning Squadron, Colorado Air National Guard 
138th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron, Colorado Air National Guard 
114th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron, Florida Air National Guard 
150th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron, Hawaii Air National Guard 
109th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron, Hawaii Air National Guard 
126th Intelligence Squadron, Ohio Air National Guard 

Members at any rank possessing one of the following Air Force Specialty Codes are eligible: 

For officers: 13S; 14N, 17D 
For enlisted: 1C6; 1D7; 1N0; 1N4, 5S0