LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- During a virtual ceremony broadcasted from the Pentagon, U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond, ceremonially transferred field grade officers around the globe into the USSF, Aug. 2.
“Thank you to each of you for volunteering to come into this service,” Raymond said. “It’s an extremely exciting time to be in our business. We established this service to move fast, think different and get ahead of that threat in a way that is purpose-built for space.”
After a ceremonial Oath of Office was administered, signifying the transfer from the U.S. Air Force to the USSF, officers in attendance in-person and virtually had the opportunity to engage with Raymond, as well as Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force Roger Towberman, during a town hall.
“We now have a force that is hungry for your leadership,” said Raymond. “Establishing that top-tier leadership for our service is really important so don’t just do things the way we’ve always done them. You now have to lead Guardians who are really thinking differently.”
“I challenge each of you to be bold, to think outside of the box and to run at opportunities to make a difference,” he continued. “Think about ways we can compete, deter and win in the fight with our peer adversaries.”
Two members from the Space and Missile Systems Center participated in today’s virtual ceremonial transfer event ceremony. Both will complete their official transfer actions separately.
- Lt. Col. Randall Carlson, SMC capability integrator for missile warning
- Maj. Christopher Andrews, SMC missile warning enterprise integration chief
To officially transfer from one military service to another, a military member separates from the current service and commissions or enlists into the new service in their current rank. On the official date of transfer, enlisted members will be administered the Oath of Enlistment and sign enlistment contracts into the U.S. Space Force. Officers will be administered the Oath of Office and sign official U.S. Space Force commissioning documents. Both officers and enlisted members will incur a minimum two-year active-duty service commitment in volunteering for the transfer.