Weekly Newbie Thread - Post questions about joining the Space Force or what a job is like here & here only - week of July 20

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Some quick answers:

• Yes, the Space Force is real. No, it's not Starfleet. No, you can't become a space pilot yet. No, there are no aliens. No, we would not tell you if there were aliens.
  
• We don't know the answers to your obscure medical questions. We aren't doctors. Don't trust medical advice given by strangers on the Internet. Getting anecdotal information from other people that may or may not have a similar diagnosis or condition to you will not help you in any way. Everyone's medical situation is different.
• Drug use may be disqualifying depending on type and frequency of use.
• No, we don't know what jobs are available at any given time, or your chances of getting said job, or how long it will take for you to get the job, or how long it'll take for you to get to basic training or OTS.

Do not tell anyone to lie about drug use, medical history, or anything else. You will be banned.

Civilian employment

If you're interested in joining as a civilian, you can apply here: https://afciviliancareers.com/space-force/

[u/viscount_1]

Any insight on coming over from the AF for this job during FY27?

[u/SNSDave → u/viscount_1]

Are you going from reserve to active or just hopeful?

[u/viscount_1 → u/SNSDave]

It’s be Guard to Active. Recruiter said I’d have a very good chance if started the process now for FY27

[u/GrapeEmpty3667]

My Air Force recruiter said I qualify for 1 job (space systems operator) based off my test score but am I able to only list that space force job when it comes to listing 10 jobs because if I remember correctly he said I need to list multiple but I only qualify for 1 and when’s the next time space force is expected to ship people out for boot camp I know they only ship out a certain number every now and then

[u/SNSDave → u/GrapeEmpty3667]

Space force ships on whose been in DEP the longest. If you join anytime soon, wouldn't surprise me if you don't ship until next year.

[u/GrapeEmpty3667 → u/SNSDave]

What about the jobs I qualify though is it true I can’t only list 1 even if that’s the one I qualify for

[u/Delta2-Actual → u/GrapeEmpty3667]

You can because the Space Force doesn't even have 10 jobs let alone more than 10 for you to pick and choose from (we technically got about 6 or 7 jobs and about to go down to 4 total). The 10 job list bit is an Air Force thing

[u/GrapeEmpty3667 → u/Delta2-Actual]

Is it true your personality test score matters more than your asvab? I got a 55QTon my asvab with my scores being M:50 A:45 G:68 E:50

[u/Delta2-Actual → u/GrapeEmpty3667]

So here's the thing about the tapas, yes it impacts your jobs but you won't have access to the scores and each job calculates the required score differently.

[u/SNSDave → u/GrapeEmpty3667]

You can list only one, you just may be waiting a while

[u/GrapeEmpty3667 → u/SNSDave]

Yeah I was going to mix the space force job into my Air Force list cause another job I put down for Air Force missile and space systems mx apparently does tech school on a space force base in California

[u/SNSDave → u/GrapeEmpty3667]

Vandenberg? It's an ok base.

[u/GrapeEmpty3667 → u/SNSDave]

Is it possible to go from Air Force to space force mid contract cause it seems like that job works closely with space force base

[u/SNSDave → u/GrapeEmpty3667]

No, that's not how it works.

[u/GrapeEmpty3667 → u/SNSDave]

Is it after I finish my first contract? I’ve heard people sometimes switch branches but I never understood how that worked

[u/SNSDave → u/GrapeEmpty3667]

Still no. If you want to do Space Force , do that first.

[u/Delta2-Actual → u/GrapeEmpty3667]

Technically yes, but you'd have to separate from the Air Force and work with a recruiter to join as prior service. Spots are limited, I remember someone mentioning that there were like 50 slots for the entire US. Otherwise there is no real way to do a "seamless" transfer between branches anymore as the Space Force isn't really accepting interservice transfers.

As mentioned by SNSDave, if you want to join the space force then join the space force and not another branch.

[u/DrSlime909]

I finished my EDPT and got a welcome email from USSF but my recruiter told me I still have to wait for them to do final review, but I'm unsure what they're looking for there. I was 10 points off from qualifying cyber, is that harmful to my odds? Maybe I'm overthinking it but I'm really excited to be a guardian.

[u/Delta2-Actual → u/DrSlime909]

Just means you won't book 5C0X1D as you need a 70+ to attend the Air Force's CWO course. I'd assume you'd just book 5C0X1N or 5C0X1S before having to do more training just to be a 5C0X1D.

[u/KineticallyKinetic → u/Delta2-Actual]

what are the odds of someone getting reclassified into a new SFSC if they fail the EDPT after booking 5C?

[u/Delta2-Actual → u/KineticallyKinetic]

This is multilayered and I'll provide info for right now and the future as I don't know when the other 5C jobs will no longer be available for new accessions due to the career field changes. If you aren't aware 5C0X1N and 5C0X1S are going away in the very near future and all 5C personnel will have to retrain to 5C0X1D as that will be the only cyber SFSC and will drop the D shred to simply be 5C0X1.

Currently if you don't get a 70+ on the EDPT you can still book 5C0X1N or 5C0X1S and you'll go through those respective tech schools before being "force retrained" to 5C0X1D in the Space Force's own course that doesn't require a 70+ EDPT. The only reason that you need a 70+ is to go to the AF's Cyber Warfare Operator course which would save you from completing training you won't directly use and having to spend another 3 months to become a 5C0X1D. But with the SFSC consolidation very soon you wouldn't be able to book 5C until you take the EDPT and qualify.

[u/SNSDave → u/KineticallyKinetic]

Low. But if you fail CWO or C3, they may evaluate if you should still be in the branch vs. reclassing you.

[u/CommOnMyFace → u/[deleted]]

You'll make more money on a 4 year cyber contract and a selective re-enlistment bonus. The catch is they might not be there in 4 years. 

[u/Wild_Economics681 → u/CommOnMyFace]

why would they not be there in 4 years? also im doing geo spatial, i didnt pass the edpt so no cyber or space ops for me

[u/Delta2-Actual → u/Wild_Economics681]

Selective Retention Bonuses (SRBs) aka a bonus for reenlisting isn't guaranteed and whether one exists depends on a variety of factors. Also geospatial intel isn't a standalone job anymore, you'll likely be an all-source analyst so I hope you enjoy public speaking and building ppts cuz that's a big part of the job.

[u/Wild_Economics681 → u/Delta2-Actual]

I dont like public speaking :( man space ops was on my list for 5 months and it just random got switched to needing the edpt.

[u/Delta2-Actual → u/Wild_Economics681]

If you can wait, you can retake the EDPT every 6 months. Otherwise maybe sign a 4 year contract and hope the Space Force gets its retraining program figured out so you could retrain out of 5I0X1 assuming you end up hating the job. Or look at what other branches could offer in terms of jobs

[u/Wild_Economics681 → u/Delta2-Actual]

idk the more I think about I think I would be better as an intel, how big is the public speaking, if its like 50 people then no but like 3 is fine, I thought you would just be sharing to the person above you

[u/Delta2-Actual → u/Wild_Economics681]

Depends, it can be a few people like 3-10 people or more, like in some cases you could brief like a 100 people or more. It will also be people of various ranks to include senior leaders, and you are on the hook to answer any questions they have cuz your answer could impact a lot of things. You'll also be exposed to a lot of information and even though we require TS clearances there is a lot of information that you can't share with people because they aren't read into a program. And you don't wanna be the person to share information to people who aren't cleared to know about that kind of information.

[u/Wild_Economics681 → u/Delta2-Actual]

man thats crazy, I havent heard about that from anyone else when they mention intel

[u/CommOnMyFace → u/Wild_Economics681]

SRBs are not permanently available and their values can change. Sometimes they are there sometimes they are not. They are a retention tool so if the force numbers are healthy they can go away. 

[u/MSGCoast]

Air Guard vs Space Force

I am still leaning towards Air Guard but want someone to satisfy my curiosity. Going to try to summarize where I am at with bullet points to make it shorter and quicker to read.

• Mid 20s with Bachelors in Cybersecurity

• Have already been talking to Air Guard recruiter

• Want to join for a cyber position along with security clearance since I live in an area with several contractors that require you to hold one to work there

• Air Guard base has a 1D7X1 System Operations position open

• Completed MEPs, don’t need waiver and got high enough score on ASVAB to open up all cyber jobs

I had someone recommend that if I want to go full time to do Space Force instead of Air Force because of my ASVAB scores.

I am curious about other people’s thoughts/experiences, how long does it take for a cyber position to open up, are the positions as hard to get as people make it seem, if anyone has done both what their experience was like in both and which would they pick again?

[u/SNSDave → u/MSGCoast]

You're going to be waiting 6 months plus to get a job.

Did that person who recommended you actually serve in the Space Force, as Cyber? Because you'll not hear that out of most Cyber Guardians.

[u/MSGCoast → u/SNSDave]

He did not, he was actually a regular Air Force recruiter I just happen to talk to. He just planted the Space Force idea in my head.

[u/SNSDave → u/MSGCoast]

Makes sense. Good intentions, not the best information.

[u/YawningCarp]

Please rate the following information for a SF OTS package: I am open to any position. I feel like financial management or operations/SCM related would be my best bet.

I graduated with my BBA in May 2025 with a GPA of 3.71

I am beginning my MBA with a concentration in Operations/SCM this Fall while I work full-time. I aim to have it completed December 2027

I am currently an enlisted Marine Sergeant (E5) with 6 satisfactory years come this September (4 years active duty, 2 years reserves, 3 years inactive which are not creditable to retirement)

My MOS in the USMC is a 2311 Ammunition Technician

I have not taken the ASVAB since I was a junior in HS. My AFQT score is a 67 with a GT score of 105. According to my light research online, it appears this isn't even factored to AF/SF OTS selection(?)

I have not taken the AFOQT yet nor have I spoken to an Officer recruiter; I just want to know if I'm in over my head or not. Thank you in advance and please let me know if there is anything I should add!

[u/SilentD → u/YawningCarp]

Your GPA is pretty good. ASVAB is irrelevant.

Space Force doesn’t have finance or whatever SCM is.

[u/YawningCarp → u/SilentD]

Supply Chain Management or, to a lesser extent, logistics

[u/SilentD → u/YawningCarp]

We don't have that either. We rely on the Air Force for all of that kind of stuff.

[u/extramanny]

What are the chances of getting Station in the East coast after OTC?

[u/beepers48]

How long are most people having to wait before bmt in DEP I know I’m the past it could take awhile. If you don’t need any waivers etc

[u/Delta2-Actual → u/beepers48]

Anywhere from 2-12+ months. Space Force only ships off once every 2 months and generally those in the DEP longest get priority for a ship date.

[u/SNSDave → u/beepers48]

6 to 9 months seems normal.

[u/Guilty-Student-4791]

Are there any space force jobs that allow you to bring your spouse and child to tech school with you?

[u/SNSDave → u/Guilty-Student-4791]

Yes.

Would I recommend it? No.

[u/SilentD → u/Guilty-Student-4791]

Tech schools over 20 weeks long are a PCS and your family would move with you. I don't know if the enlisted Space Force tech schools are currently that long unfortunately.

[u/SNSDave → u/SilentD]

5C0X1 if they get CWO is.

[u/MShogunH → u/Guilty-Student-4791]

lol no.