The Space Force has successfully completed the transfer of Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members under the Personnel Management Act (PMA), which aimed to create a hybrid full-time/part-time force. The last cohort of Reservists officially joined the Space Force on October 1, with some participating virtually during a ceremony at Los Angeles Air Force Base.
Over the past two and a half years, hundreds of personnel have shifted to the Space Force in an effort to streamline space-focused units. The PMA, enacted in late 2023 as part of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, established the framework for these transitions, initially focusing on the Air Force Reserve and later including the Air National Guard.
The transition involved a series of application processes for reservists wanting to move to full-time roles, with 380 selected by April 2025, and an additional 99 Air National Guardsmen chosen to switch in early 2026. By now, part-time roles have also been made available to Air Force Reservists.
Despite the cohort’s completion, prior service members can still join the Space Force. The new part-time members are designated as “Guardians Not on Sustained Duty,” and are required to serve a minimum number of duty days annually. This influx of experienced personnel is vital as the Space Force prepares for significant growth, balancing the need for experienced Guardians against new recruits.
